Skip to main content

Full text of "Diary"

See other formats 


F  22a 
.H324 
Copy    1 


DIARY  OF  JOHN   HARROWER, 

I773-I776 


REPRINTED    FROM    THE 


gimman  §ii$toticat  §nitw 


VOL.  VI    NO.  I  OCTOBER   1900 


DOCUMENTS 

Diary  of  John  Harnnvcr,   1773-1776 

That  indented  servants  were  a  large  class  among  the  emigrants 
to  the  American  colonies  is  well  known,  but  it  is  not  to  be  expected 
that  we  should  ever  obtain  a  large  amount  of  knowledge  of  the 
fortunes  of  a  class  so  obscure  and  inarticulate.  It  is  known,  also, 
that  of  the  many  Scottish  indented  servants  who  came  to  Virginia 
before  the  Revolution,  some  were  employed  as  schoolmasters.  But 
it  was  by  no  means  to  be  expected  that  we  should  be  able  to  print, 
not  only  the  actual  diary  of  an  indented  servant,  but  that  of  one 
belonging  to  this  peculiarly  interesting  class.  That  we  are  per- 
mitted to  do  so  is  owing  to  the  kindness  of  Mrs.  Sally  Nelson 
Robins,  assistant  librarian  of  the  Virginia  Historical  Society.  The 
document,  printed  with  necessary  omission  of  portions  not  now 
interesting,  affords  most  valuable  glimpses  into  the  life  of  an  in- 
dented servant  in  America,  even  though  the  writer  was  plainly 
above  the  average  of  that  class  in  intelligence  and  not  all  his  exper- 
iences are  typical.  The  book  in  which  the  diary  is  written  is  a 
small  quarto  volume  (about  8x6  in.)  bound  in  vellum,  and  con- 
taining at  present  145  pages.  It  once  contained  a  few  more.  It 
was  found  among  the  papers  of  the  Corbin  family,  of  Moss  Neck 
and  Farley  Vale,  Virginia. 

Diligent  efforts  have  been  made  to  discover  something  of  the 
earlier  history  of  John  Harrower,  of  Lerwick  in  Shetland.  These 
have  been  seconded,  with  the  utmost  kindness,  by  James  M. 
Goudie,  Esq.,  of  Lerwick,  a  devoted  student  of  Shetland  antiquities, 
and  by  Francis  J.  Grant,  Esq.,  Rothesay  Herald,  Edinburgh.  But 
little  has  been  found.  Mr.  Goudie  has  obligingly  sent  a  series  of 
contributions  by  him  to  the  Shetland  Times,  embracing  extracts  from 
the  kirk -session  records  of  Lerwick,  and  others  entitled  "  Annals  of 
the  County  of  Zetland,"  edited  by  another  hand.  These  cast  light 
upon  some  of  the  friends  mentioned  by  Harrower,  they  illustrate  the 
surroundings  from  which  he  emigrated,  and  they  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent exhibit  his  points  of  contact  with  America  before  he  thought 
of  coming  here.  Thus,  on  October  15,  1773,  only  seven  weeks 
before  he  left  his  home,  a  letter  from  the  sheriff  substitute  is  laid 
before  the  kirk -session  asking  charitable  aid  for  the  many  destitute 

VOL.  VI.— 5.  (  65  ) 


66  Docwncnts 

passengers  of  a  ship  wrecked  at  Walls,  a  kw  miles  away,  and  con- 
fined there  for  a  time  by  reason  of  the  infection  among  them.  It 
was  an  emigrant  ship.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Mill  says  in  his  Diaiy^  con- 
cerning it : 

"A  vessel  from  Leith  with  260  emigrants  for  North  Carolina  was  by 
stress  of  weather  put  into  Vela  Sound  in  Walls.  The  smallpox  at  same 
time  carried  off  severals,  and  some  of  their  children  crammed  in  the  hold 
were  said  to  be  stifled  to  death  and  thrown  overboard  into  the  sea,  before 
they  landed ;  after  which  the  vessel  was  driven  from  her  anchors,  and  so 
damaged  that  they  could  not,  for  several  months,  put  to  sea  again.  The 
people  were  dispersed  through  the  several  parishes  for  subsistence  accord- 
ing to  the  Sheriff's  decreet.  They  went  back  for  Leith  in  April,  and  the 
project  for  America  thereby  miscarried." 

But  only  two  direct  references  to  John  Harrower  have  been 
discovered  in  Lerwick  records.  One  shows  him,  as  one  of  the 
heritors  or  landholders  of  the  parish,  attending  a  meeting  in  De- 
cember, 1765,  which  votes  to  send  to  Scotland  for  a  supply  of  oat- 
meal for  the  poor.  The  other,  January  14  of  the  same  year,  is  the 
record  of  his  admission  into  the  Morton  Lodge  of  Freemasons, — 
"  Harrower,  John,  Merchant,  Lerwick."  In  records  at  Edinburgh 
Mr.  Grant  finds  evidence  that  he  came  to  Shetland  after  1750.  He 
also  finds  in  the  Sasine  Register,  under  date  of  1762,  1767  and 
1770,  three  evidences  of  tenements  held  by  "John  Harrower  mer- 
chant in  Lerwick  and  Anna  Graham  his  spouse."  This  would 
seem  to  have  been  a  previous  wife ;  or  the  pair  may  possibly  have 
been  our  Harrower's  father  and  mother. 

Evidently  Harrower  was  a  minor  person  in  Lerwick.  Yet  he 
wrote  a  very  good  hand,  and  was  fairly  well  educated  at  a  time 
when  schools  hardly  existed  in  Shetland.  Whatever  may  have 
been  the  cause  of  his  leaving  home  (there  is  no  fuller  indication  than 
that  contained  in  his  letter  to  his  brother-in-law),  every  page  of  the 
diary  shows  that  he  was  frugal  and  industrious  to  a  high  degree,  and 
he  was  evidently  much  regarded  by  Colonel  Daingerfield.  Finally, 
if  Jock,  his  oldest  child,  was  born  in  November,  1762,  he  may 
not  improbably  have  been  thirty-five  or  forty  when  he  left  Lerwick. 
Nothing  more  is  known  of  his  sulasequent  life  than  that,  after  his 
sojourn  at  "Belvidera,"  he  became  a  sort  of  manager  at  "Moss 
Neck,"  near  Fredericksburg,  the  home  of  Richard  Corbin.  For 
this  information,  and  for  some  of  the  footnotes,  we  are  indebted  to 
Mrs.  Robins. 

As  to  Mrs.  Harrower,  Mr.  Goudie  writes  : 

"  His  wife  belonged  to  one  of  the  leading  families  in  the  town — the 
Craigies  of  Stebbiegrind.     A  portion  of  the  sea-front  of  the  town  still 

'  Diary  of  the  Heverend  James  Mill  (Scottish  History  Society,  V. ),  p.  40. 


Diary  of  Joltn  Harroiver  67 

bears  their  name — '  Craigie's  Stane.'  Miss  Turnbull  Stewart,  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  Craigie  family  whose  residence  is  the  Old  Manse,  informs 
me  that  Mrs.  Harrower  died  in  that  house.  She  further  says  that  she  re- 
members coming  across  an  old  letter  addressed  to  one  of  the  Craigies, 
in  which  the  hope  was  expressed  that  Mrs.  Harrower  was  being  cared 
for.  Nothing  is  known  about  Mrs.  Harrower's  children,  but  it  is  evi- 
dent that  she  did  not  join  her  husband  in  America." 

The  old  letter  referred  to  may  have  been  that  of  August  28, 
1775,  addressed  to  Captain  James  Craigie. 


Mitnday,  &*■  Dec'  1773.  This  morning  I  left  my  house '  and  family 
at  4  OClock  in  order  to  travel  in  search  of  business  and  imediatly  went 
on  board  a  sloop  ready  to  saile  for  Leith,  Oconachie  M'  and  at  5  OClock 
he  sailed  Accordingly  with  the  wind  at  N.  At  this  time  I  am  Master  of 
no  more  Cash  but  8Ad  and  stockins "  &c.  to  the  amount  of  ^3  st' '  or 
thereabout,  a  small  value  indeed  to  traviel  with.* 

Miinday,  27th.  Wind  at  S.  E.  with  heavy  rain.  Both  the  Smacks 
in  the  River  yet.  This  evening  it  being  S'  John's  night  the  Free  Masons 
made  a  very  grand  procession  through  the  high  street,  they  began  at  6 
pm  and  it  was  1 1  pm  before  the  last  loge  hade  done,  they  were  attended 
by  a  party  of  the  Grandideers  ^  who  carried  their  flambows  and  each 
Loge  walked  seperatly,  they  being  three. 

Tuesday,  28th.  Wind  at  E.  fine  weather,  this  da)'  I  once  thought 
of  engaging  with  the  Mr  of  the  Elizabeth  Brigantine  bound  for  North 
Carolina  but  the  thoughts  of  being  so  far  from  my  family  prevented  me. 
at  noon  the  wind  came  all  round  to  the  N.  V."  and  then  Mr.  began  to 
make  ready  as  fast  as  possible  for  sailing. 

Wednesday,  2gth.  At  2  AM  left  my  Loging  having  been  here  16 
days  and  my  method  of  living  was  as  follows  Vizt  for  Breackfast  4-d. 
worth  of  bread  ^d.  worth  of  Cheese  and  a  bottle  of  ale  at  id.  For 
dinner  id.  worth  of  bread,  Ad.  worth  of  Broath,  id.  worth  of  Meat  and 
a  bottle  of  ale  at  id.  and  the  same  for  supper  as  for  breackfast,  and  id.  a 
night  for  my  bedd.  On  leaving  my  logings  at  the  time  above  mentioned 
I  went  onb!*the  sloop  Williams,  Wm.  Bell  M',  for  Newcastle,  and  he  im- 
ediatly hauled  out  of  the  harbour  and  made  saile  with  the  Wind  at 
N.  N.  V.  At  9  pm  was  obliged  to  ly  too  for  the  tide  on  Tynemouth  bar. 
at  midnight  bore  away  for  the  Bar  and  got  weel  over  it. 

Thursday,  jofh.  At  i  AM  we  passed  by  shiels' and  went  up  the 
River  Tyne,  and  at  2  AM  made  fast  to  Newcastle  Key,  we  having  been 

1  At  Lerwick. 

2  Shetland  stockings  were  famous,  and  were  already  an  important  article  of  export. 

3  Pounds  sterling  as  distinguished  from  pounds  Scots,  the  ordinary  money  of  account 
in  Shetland. 

*  Persuading  the  master  to  set  him  ashore  at  Montrose,  Harrower  walked  thence  to 
Dundee,  where  he  remained  from  December  13  to  December  29. 
5  Grenadiers. 
6/.  <•.,   NW. 
'  Shields. 


68  Documents 

no  more  than  24  hours  from  Dundee  here  3  of  which  we  lay  too.  At  9 
AM  I  went  ashore  to  Newcastle  in  Comp?'  with  MfBell  and  5  others  who 
were  passangers  along  with  me,  and  after  drinking  a  English  poynt  of  ale  a 
piece  I  enquired  at  the  Pilots  and  others  if  there  was  any  Vessel  presently 
at  Newcastle  bound  for  Holland  but  found  there  was  none.  At  same 
time  was  informed  that  Sunderland  was  a  more  proper  place  to  look  out 
for  a  ship  bound  there.   .    .    . 

MiDiday,  j^  Jan'',  1774.^  This  day  snowing  very  hard,  Wind  at 
N.  N.  E.  At  9  AM  went  out  to  see  if  I  cou'd  sell  any  stockins,  but  re- 
turned again  at  10  AM  without  selling  any  ;  I  then  paid  my  bedd  for  two 
nights  which  cost  me  2d.  each  night  at  same  time  sent  out  for  ^  worth 
of  bread  and  id.  worth  of  cheese  for  my  breackfast  and  I  found  both 
bread  and  Cheese  far  less  for  the  money  than  at  Dundee.  Yesterday  I 
neither  eat  nor  drank  any  thing  all  day  but  my  dinner  which  cost  me  6^ 
and  Just  now  I  am  Master  of  no  more  Cash  than  is.  i|d.  and  when  I 
shall  get  more  God  only  knows.  At  1 1  AM  Crossed  the  River  to  South 
Sunderland  and  Called  to  see  Wm.  Scollay,  but  was  told  he  was  not  at 
home,  after  that  I  traviled  the  Town  untill  2  pm  in  which  time  I  sold 
three  pair  of  stockins  for  four  shillings  and  four  pence,  which  was  eight 
pence  less  than  they  cost  me  in  Zetland.  I  then  returned  home  and 
bought  id.  worth  of  bread  id.  worth  of  cheese  and  id.  worth  of  small 
beer  which  served  me  for  dinner  and  supper. 

Wednesday,  5th.  AVind  and  weather  as  yesterday,  this  afternoon  I 
hear  of  a  Brigantine  called  the  Nancy  ready  load  for  Holland,  and  that 
she  always  used  that  trade. 

Thursday,  6tli.  Wind  at  S.  and  a  verry  gentle  thaw,  at  8  AM  I 
went  to  Warmouth'  and  spacke  with  Mr.  George  Lacen  [  ?  ]  Com'  of  the 
Nancy  Brigantine,  who  informed  me,  that  he  himself  was  not  sure  where  he 
was  to  go.  But  that  I  might  speacke  to  Mr  John  Taylor  the  Owner  which 
I  immediatly  did  and  he  told  me,  that  if  the  Rivers  was  open  the  Nancy 
would  go  to  Holland,  if  not  probably  to  London,  and  that  I  was  ex- 
treamly  welcome  to  my  passage.  I  then  waited  on  Mr.  Lacen  and 
aquanted  him  of  the  same,  and  imediatly  put  my  trunk  and  bundle  on 
board 

Freiday,  7th.  Got  out  of  bedd  at  6  AM  this  morning,  at  8  AM 
went,  at  9  AM  they  began  to  haul  out  of  the  harbour  and  came  to  an 
Anchor  in  the  Roads  at  10  AM  and  lay  in  the  road  untill  four  keels  of 
Coals  was  put  on  board,  each  keel  being  Twenty  Tun,  and  they  were  all 
Onb?  by  half  an  houre  past  noon.  At  i  pm  got  under  saile  with  the  wind 
at  N.  B.  E.'  with  a  verry  high  sea  runing,  a  great  deall  of  w^hich  she 
shipped  all  this  afternoon,     steered  until  midnight  S.  S.  E.  * 

1  At  Sunderland,  where  no  ships  for  Holland  were  to  be  found,  the  ice  in  the  Dutch 
rivers  precluding  the  voyage. 

2  Monk  Wearmouth,  opposite  Sunderland. 
'/.  e.,  north  by  east. 

'From  this  time  till  noon  of  the  llth  the  brigantine  sailed  along  the  English  coast, 
finally  coming  to  anchor  at  Portsmouth,  where  the  captain  went  ashore  to  sell  his  coal  and 
where  llarrower  vainly  sought  passage  to  Holland. 


Diary  of  John  Harroiver  69 

Wednesday,  12th.  This  morning  fine  clear  weather  but  hard  frost.  I 
waited  onb:".  untill  three  pm  for  Cap!  Lacoers  [?]  returning.  But  when  I 
found  he  did  not  I  left  a  letter  of  thanks  to  him  for  his  favours  shown 
me,  for  he  would  take  no  passage  money  from  me,  Besides  that  he  used 
me  like  a  Brother  making  me  sleep  and  eat  with  himself;  I  then  went 
ashore  and  immediately  set  out  for  London  with  no  more  cash  in  my 
pocket  [but]  IS.  Sj^d.  St:  I  pray,  May  God  provide  more  for  me  and 
for  all  who  are  in  strait.  Immediatly  as  I  left  Portsmouth  I  fell  into 
Compr  and  conversaition  on  the  road  to  whome  I  sold  two  pair  of  stock- 
ins  4/6d.  it  being  the  price  they  cost  me  in  Zetland.  I  traveled  four 
Miles  this  afternoon  and  lodged  all  night  at  Post  doun'  bridge  and  the 
House  had  a  Battery  of  Twelve  Canon  round  it.  here  I  supped  on  eight 
Oisters  and  id.  and  Y-y  worth  of  Bread,  with  a  poynt  of  strong  and  a 
poynt  of  small  beer  which  [cost]  me  3d.,  being  in  all  4j^d.  for  supper, 
here  I  paid  3d.  for  my  bedd,  and  it  was  warmed  with  a  warming  pan,  this 
being  the  first  time  I  ever  seed  it  done. 

Thursday,  13th.  Wind  at  E.  so  thick  that  I  could  not  see  above 
100  yards  distance.  I  crossed  over  Post  doun  hill  and  Breackfast  at 
Handen,-  and  after  crossing  a  large  barren  Common  of  that  name  I 
dinned  at  Petersfield  and  then  Got  as  far  as  Raik  in  the  County  of  Sussex 
where  I  staid  all  night,  having  traviled  twenty  miles  this  [day]  which  is 
more  than  I  did  e.xpect  earring  my  Box  and  Bundle  on  my  back ;  They 
have  for  firing  here,  nothing  but  a  kind  [of]  heath  like  flaws.'*  at  this 
place  I  paid  3d.  for  my  bedd,  My  diet  being  all  the  old  storry.  Bread, 
Cheese  and  beer,  and  I  hade  a  Rush  Candle  to  light  me  to  bedd. 

Freiday,  14th.  This  morning  I  sold  in  my  lodgings  sundry  articles 
to  the  amount  of  iS/gd.  St'  which  Articles  cost  me  ^1.5/6  St'.  So  that 
necessity  obliged  me  to  lose  6/9d.    ...  * 

Sunday,  i6th.  This  day  after  breackfast  and  read»  some  Chapters 
on  a  Newtestament  I  found  in  my  room,  I  made  the  two  following  verses 
which  I  here  insert  below. 

My  absent  friends  God  bless,  and  those, 
my  wife  and  Children  dear  ; 
I  pray  for  pardon  to  my  foes. 
And  for  them  sheds  a  tear. 
At  Epsom  here  this  day  I  ly. 
Repenting  my  past  sins  ; 
Praying  to  Jesus  for  his  mercy. 
And  success  to  my  friends. 

Here  I  hade  an  extream  good  dinner  in  Piiblick,  for  sixpence,  in  the 
Afternoon  I  took  a  Walk  and  seed  round  this  place  a  great  many  fine 
Houses  and  gardens  most  of  them  belonging  to  Londoners. 

*  Portsdown. 
^Homdean. 
3  Flax. 

*  Harrower  then  walked  on  by  way  of  Godalming  and  Guildford  to  Epsom,  where 
he  spent  Sunday. 


70  Docitments 

\Tuesday\,  i8th.  This  day  I  got  to  London  and  was  like  a  blind 
man  without  a  guide,  not  knowing  where  to  go  being  freindless  and  hav- 
ing no  more  money  but  fifteen  shillings  and  eight  pence  farthing  a  small 
sum  to  enter  London  with  ;  But  I  trust  in  the  mercys  of  God  who  is  a 
rich  provider  and  am  hopefull  before  it  is  done  some  way  will  cast  up  for 
me.  I  took  up  my  lodging  at  the  old  ship  Tavern  in  little  Hermitage 
street,'  Mr.  George  Newton  being  the  landlord,  but  in  Prison  for  debt 
at  present. 

Wednesday,  igth.  This  day  I  shifted  my  cloaths  and  put  on  a  clean 
Ruffled  Shirt,  clean  Britches  and  waistcoat  and  my  Brown  Coat,  I 
not  having  any  other  cloaths  on  ever  since  I  left  Lerwick  but  my  blew 
Jacket  and  Bigg  Coat  above  it  and  a  plain  shirt.  At  ii  AM  I 
called  to  see  Cap!  Perry,  but  was  told  he  would  not  be  at  home  untill  5 
pm.  Having  eat  nothing  for  24  houres,  I  dinned  in  my  Lodging  this 
day  which  cost  me  1/2  St'.  After  dinner  I  took  a  walk  with  the  mate 
of  a  ship  a  Scotsman  who  carried  me  through  Virginia  street,  London 
street,  part  of  White  Chappel  street,  down  to  London  Hospitall,  through 
Ragg  fair,  the  Minnories,  Round  Tour  hill,  and  the  Tour,  through 
Saint  Catharins,  and  Bur  street  and  so  home. 

A  5  pm  called  again  at  Cap!  Perrys  and  the  first  face  I  saw  was 
Willie  Holcraw  of  Coningsburgh^  who  I  found  staid  here  as  a  servant, 
and  while  I  was  speacking  to  him,  Cap!  Perry  came  home  and  he  imme- 
diatly  knew  me,  and  desired  me  to  walk  in  which  I  did,  and  after  sit- 
ting some  time  and  drinking  some  tea,  I  called  Cap!  Perry  aside  and 
made  my  Intentions  known  to  him,  at  same  time  begged  his  advice  and 
assistance ;  He  told  me  he  hardly  thought  there  would  be  any  Business 
got  for  me  in  London.  But  told  me  to  call  on  him  at  the  Jamacia  Coffee 
House  to  morrow  at  Change  time.  I  then  went  home,  and  soon  went 
to  Bedd. 

Thursday,  20th.  This  morning  breackfast  at  home  and  paid  6d.  for 
it.  At  noon  called  at  the  Jamacia  Coffee  House  and  soon  after  seed 
Cap'  Perry  and  waited  here  and  Change  untill  3  pm  but  no  appearance 
of  any  Business  for  me.  the  time  I  was  in  the  Coffee  house  I  drank  3ds. 
worth  of  punch,  and  I  was  obliged  to  make  it  serve  me  for  Dinner,  at 
night  I  hade  ^d.  worth  of  bread  and  id.  of  Cheese  and  a  poynt  of  Porter 
for  supper  it  being  all  I  cou'd  afford. 

Freiday,  21st.  This  morning  I  seed  an  advertisement  for  Bookeepers 
and  Clerks  to  go  to  a  Gentlemen  [at]  Philadelphia.  I  went  as  it  directed 
to  N°^i  in  Catharine  Court  princes  street,  but  when  I  came  there  I  was 
told  they^were  served.  I  then  waited  again  on  Cap!  Perry  untill  after  3 
pm  But  to  no  purpose.  I  this  day  offered  to  go  steward  of  a  ship  bound 
to  Maryland  but  could  not  get  the' birth.  This  day  I  was  3  or  4  miles 
through  London  and  seed  S!  Paul's  Church,  the  Bank  of  England  where 

'  In  Wapping,  near  the  London  Docks. 

2  Or  Cunningsburgh,  a  village  about  eight  miles  south  of  Lerwick.  The  name  Hal- 
crow  appears  frequently  in  the  documents  printed  as  appendixes  to  the  Diary  of  the 
Reverend  James  Mill,  Minister  of  the  Parishes  of  Dunrossness,  Sandwich  and  Cunnings- 
burgh (Scottish  History  Society,  V.). 


Diary  of  John  Harroiver  71 

I  seed  the  gold  lying  in  heaps,  I  also  seed  Summerst  house,'  Gild  hall, 
Drury  Lane,  Covingarden,^  Adelphus  Buildings  and  several  other  pleaces. 
I  then  returnd  and  near  my  lodgings  I  dinned  at  an  eating  house  and 
hade  4d.  worth  of  roast  Beiff  id.  worth  of  bread  and  a  poynt  of  small 
beer,  in  all  5ld. 

Saturday,  22d.  This  morning  I  seed  an  advertisement  in  the  Publick 
ledger  for  a  Messenger  to  a  publick  Lodge,  Sallery  15/  Sf  per  week  and 
another  advertisement  for  an  under  Clerk  to  a  Merch'  to  both  which  I 
wrote  answers  and  went  to  the  places  apointed,  and  found  at  each  place 
more  than  a  dozen  of  Letters  before  me,  so  that  I  hade  litle  expectation 
that  way  they  being  all  weel  aquanted  and  I  a  stranger.  I  then  went 
to  change  to  see  if  any  thing  would  cas[t]  up  but  to  no  purpose,  so  I 
returned  hom  at  4  pm  and  spent  the  evening  in  a  verry  sollitary  manner 
supping  on  bread  and  Cheese  as  usuall. 

Sunday,  2jd.  This  morning  I  drank  some  purle  for  breackfast  and 
then  I  took  a  walk  in  the  forenoon  through  severall  streets,  and  at  i  pm 
I  returned  to  the  eating  house  I  hade  formerly  been  at  and  dinned  which 
cost  me  6|-  today  having  hade  id.  worth  of  pudding  more  than  I  form- 
erly hade.  In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  a  Methodists  meeting,  the  Text 
was  in  the  V  Chap  :  Mathew  and  the  20th  Verse.  After  sermon  I  came 
home  and  being  solitary  in  my  room  I  made  the  following  Verses  which 
I  insert  on  the  other  side  of  this  leaf 

Now  at  London  in  a  garret  room  I  am, 
here  frendless  and  forsaken  ; 
But  from  the  Lord  my  help  will  come. 
Who  trusts  in  him  are  not  mistaken. 

When  freinds  on  earth  do  faint  and  fade. 
And  upon  you  their  backs  do  turn  ; 
O  Truly  seek  the  Lord,  and  he  will 
Them  comfort  that  do  murn. 

I'll  unto  God  my  prayer  make, 
to  him  my  case  make  known  ; 
And  hopes  he  will  for  Jesus  sake. 
Provide  for  me  and  soon. 

Afunday,  24.th.  This  morning  I  wrote  six  tickets  to  give  to  ship- 
masters at  Change  seeking  a  steward's  birth  onb'l  some  ship,  but  could 
not  get  a  birth.  I  also  wrote  a  petition  in  generall  to  any  Merch!  or 
Tradesman  setting  forth  my  present  situation,  and  the  way  in  which  I 
hade  been  brought  up  and  where  I  hade  served  and  in  what  station,  at 
same  time  offering  to  serve  any  for  the  bare  suport  of  life  fore  some  time. 
But  all  to  no  effect,  for  all  places  here  at  present  are  intierly  carried  by 

'  Somerset  House.     Not  the  building  now  so  called,  but  its  predecessor,  the  old 
mansion  of  the  Protector  Somerset. 
^Covent  Garden. 


72  Documents 

freinds  and  Intrest,  And  many  Hundreds  are  sterving  for  want  of  employ- 
ment, and  many  good  people  are  begging. 

Tuesday,  2jfh.  Having  heard  last  night  that  John  Ross  sloop  was 
come  from  Zetland,  I  took  a  Boat  this  morning  and  went  onboard  her 
and  seed  him  and  Robert  Irvine.  And  then  I  hade  the  happiness  to  hear 
that  my  wife  and  Childrein  were  all  well  on  the  3''  In"  it  being  the  day 
they  left  Bressaysound.'  The  rest  of  this  day  I  was  employed  in  present- 
ing the  Petition  I  hade  drawn  up  on  the  24"'  Ins!  to  severall  Merch'.'  and 
others  and  doing  all  I  cou'd  to  get  into  business  of  some  kind  near  home 
but  all  to  no  effect. 

IVfdnesday,  26th.  This  day  I  being  reduced  to  the  last  shilling  I 
hade  was  obliged  to  engage  to  go  to  Virginia  for  four  years  as  a  school- 
master for  Bedd,  Board,  washing  and  five  pound  during  the  whole  time. 
I  have  also  wrote  my  wife  this  day  a  particular  Acco!  of  every  thing  that 
has  happned  to  me  since  I  left  her  untill  this  date  ;  At  3  pm  this  day  I 
went  on  board  the  Snow  Planter  Cap!  Bowers  Com!  for  Virginia  now 
lying  at  Ratliff  Cross,  and  imediatly  as  I  came  Onb"!  I  rec'!  my  Ham- 
mock and  Bedding,  at  4  pm  came  Alex'  Steuart  onb'!  the  same  Ship, 
he  was  Simbisters  Serv!  ''■  and  had  only  left  Zetland  about  three  weeks  before 
me.      we  were  a  good  deall  surprised  to  meet  w!  on  another  in  this  place. 

Thursday,  zjth.  This  day  ranie  weather,  the  ships  crew  imployed 
in  rigging  the  ship  under  the  Direction  of  the  mate  and  I  was  imployed 
in  getting  my  Hammock  slung,  at  2  pm  came  onb'l  Alex!  Burnet  nephew 
to  Mr.  Francis  Farquharson  writter  in  Edinburgh  and  one  Samuel  Mitch- 
ell a  Cooper  from  Yorkshire  and  both  entred  into  the  berth  and  Mace' 
with  Stewart  and  me. 

Saturday,  2gth.  This  day  came  on  b*  Alex'  Kennedy  a  young  man 
from  Edinb!  who  hade  been  a  Master  Cooper  there  and  a  Glasgow  Man 
by  trade  a  Barber  both  which  we  took  into  our  Mace,  which  compleated 
it  being  five  Scotsmen  and  one  Yorkshireman,  and  was  always  called  the 
Scots  mace,  And  the  Cap'  told  me  he  was  from  the  Toun  of  Aberbothick 
in  Scotland,  but  th'  he  [had]  not  been  there  since  he  was  fifteen  years  of 
age  but  hade  been  always  in  the  Virginia  trade  which  I  was  verry  glad 
to  hear. 

Munday,  Jist.  This  day  I  went  ashore  and  bought  a  penknife,  a 
paper  Book,  and  some  paper  and  pens  and  came  on  board  to  Dinner. 
It  is  surprising  to  see  the  N°  of  good  tradesmen*  of  all  kinds,  th!  come 
onb'l  every  day. 

Freiday,  February  4th.  This  day  at  7  AM  unmoored  from  Ratliff- 
cross  and  fell  down  the  river  with  the  tide  there  being  no  wind.  This 
day  I  seed  Deptfoord,  Greenage*  Hospitall,  Blackwall  and  Ullage. '^     at  i 

'  The  harbor  of  Lerwick. 

2/.  e.,  a  servant  of  John  Bruce  Stewart  of  Symbister  and  Bigton,  an  important  pro- 
prietor in  the  south  of  Shetland.     Diary  of  Rev.  James  Mill,  pp.  22,  151,  etc. 
3  Mess. 

*  /.  e.,  artisans. 
'Greenwich. 
^  Woolwich . 


Diaiy  of  John  Harroiucr  "jt, 

pm  came  to  an  Anchor  a  little  below  the  i  way  house.  At  6  pm  got 
under  way  again  and  fell  down  untill  quite  dark  and  then  came  to  an 
Anchor  a  little  above  Pourfleet. 

Sunday,  6th.  At  7  AM  got  under  way  with  a  fair  wind  and  clear 
w!  and  at  1 1  AM  came  to  an  anchor  off  Gravesend  and  immediatly  the 
Merch!  came  onboard  and  a  Doctor  and  clerk  with  him  and  while  the 
Clerk  was  filling  up  the  Indentures  the  doctor  search' d  every  serv!  to  see 
that  they  were  sound  when  .  .  .  seventy  five  were  Intend  ^  to  Cap' 
Bowres  for  four  Years. 

Munday,  ytli.  This  forenoon  imployed  in  getting  in  provisions  and 
water,  at  4  pm  put  a  servant  ashore  extreamly  bade  in  a  fever,  and  then 
got  under  saile  for  Virginia  with  seventy  Servants  on  board  all  indented 
to  serve  four  years  there  at  their  differint  Occoupations  myself  being  one 
of  the  Number  and  Indented  for  a  Clerk  and  Bookeeper,  But  when  I  ar- 
rived there  I  cou'd  get  no  such  birth  as  will  appear  in  the  place.'  At 
pm  we  came  to  an  anchor  at  the  nore  it  blowing  and  snowing  verry  hard. 

Tuesday,  8th.  At  5  AM  made  saile  from  the  Nore  with  the  wind  at 
W.  N.  W.  Clear  weather  and  blowing  hard,  at  2  pm  got  off  a  Pillot 
from  Deall  to  take  our  River  Pillot  ashore  for  which  Boat  Cap'  Bowers 
paid  one  and  a  half  Guineas,  and  after  buying  some  Gin  here  we  stood 
streight  to  sea  Under  Close  R.  T.  sails'  and  our  fore  saile,  a  verry  high 
sea  running  all  this  day. 

Sunday,  ijth.  Wind  at  V.  B.  S.'  squally  weather.  Eight  saile 
more  at  anchor  in  Company  w!  us.  At  noon  the  Indented  servants  was 
like  to  mutiny  against  the  Cap!  for  putting  them  to  Allowance  of  bread 
and  Mate,  but  it  was  soon  quelled,  Our  mace  not  joyning  with  the  rest, 
in  the  afternoon  he  went  ashore,  But  before  he  left  the  Ship  he  called 
me  and  begged  I  wou'd  stand  by  the  Mate  if  there  arose  any  disturbance 
among  the  rest  of  the  servants. 

Saturday,  26th.  Wind  at  N.  B.  E.  fine  moderate  weather,  got 
up  Ydf  and  Topmasts,  at  10  AM  The  Cap'  went  ashore  to  get  more 
fresh  provisions,  at  4  pm  he  came  onb'l  from  Portsmouth  with  Bread, 
Beiff  Pork  and  Water  and  then  imediatly  got  under  sail  and  stood  out  to 
sea.  At  this  time  we  hade  three  men  sick  onb''  one  with  the  flux,  one 
with  the  fever  and  Ego,*  and  one  frost  bitt  in  his  feet.  At  11  pm  the 
wind  came  all  round  to  the  N.  V.  Blowing  verry  hard,  at  Midnight 
close  reefd  the  topsails. 

Sunday,  2/th.  Wind  at  N.  V.  at  4  AM  Tack'd  ship.  At  same 
time  the  man  who  was  bade  with  the  flux  was  found  dead  in  his  ham- 
mock, at  8  he  was  sewed  up  in  it  and  at  9  AM  he  was  hurried  in  the  sea 
after  reading  the  service  of  the  Dead  over  him,  which  was  done  by  the 
Mate. 

^  Indented. 

^This  and  the  entry  of  May  25,/oj/',  show  that  the  entries  down  to  the  latter  date 
are  not  in  the  absolute  sense  contemporary ;  but  a  passage  in  a  letter,  under  August  7, 
1774,  seems  to  indicate  that  daily  notes  were  taken. 

'I.  e.,  close-reefed  top-sails. 

*  /.  <?.,  west  by  south. 

5  Ague. 


74  Documents 

Freiday,  March  nth.  Wind  weather  and  course  as  yesterday,  this 
forenoon  clear  but  verry  squally  like,  at  4  pm  stowed  the  Maintopsail  and 
at  7  pm  stowed  fore  Top  saile  and  close  reefd  the  Main  saile  and  scuded 
under  it.  The  wind  blowing  excessive  hard  and  a  verry  high  sea  running 
still  from  the  westward,  at  8  pm  was  oblidged  to  batten  down  both  fore 
and  main  hatches,  and  a  little  after  I  really  think  there  was  the  odest 
shene '  betwixt  decks  that  ever  I  heard  or  seed.  There  was  some  sleep- 
ing, some  spewing,  .  .  .  some  daming,  some  Blasting  their  leggs  and 
thighs,  some  their  liver,  lungs,  lights  and  eyes.  And  for  to  make  the 
shene  the  odder,  some  curs' d  Father,  Mother,  Sister,  and  Brother. 

Saturday,  12th.  Wind  weather  and  course  as  before,  we  are  now 
past  the  skirts  of  the  Bay  of  Biscay  and  entred  into  the  Atlantick  Ocean, 
going  at  the  rate  of  8  knots  per  houre. 

Sum/ay,  13th.  Wind  at  S.  S.  E.  course  V.  B.  S.  at  1 1  AM  Mod- 
erate weather,  let  out  all  reefs,  at  noon  in  Latitude  44  North  per  ob- 
servation. This  afternoon  got  most  of  sick  and  ailing  to  deck  the  num- 
ber of  which  I  cannot  really  now  ascertain.  But  I  thank  God  I  have  as 
yet  kept  my  health  weel.  At  3  pm  there  was  two  servants  put  in  Irons 
for  wanting  other  than  what  was  served.  But  they  were  soon  released  on 
their  asking  pardon  and  promising  to  behave  better. 

Sunday,  2'/th.  Wind,  weather,  and  course  as  yesterday,  at  8  AM 
got  up  all  hammocks  and  the  sick  likways  they  being  now  in  number 
about  37,  there  being  th[ree]  sick  in  our  mace  Viz'  Stewart,  Burnet,  and 
the  Yorkshire  Cooper,  at  noon  we  all  betwixt  decks  cleand  out,  and 
washed  with  wineggar. 

Thursday,  jTst.  Wind  weather  and  course  as  before.  The  sick  are 
now  increased  to  the  number  of  fifty  betwixt  decks,  besides  three  in  the 
steerage  Viz'  two  seamen  and  a  passanger. 

Sunday,  April  jd.  Wind  weather  and  course  as  before.  Last  night 
Alexf  Stewart  was  so  high  in  the  fever  that  I  sat  up  with  him  all  night, 
and  Burnet  and  the  Cooper  are  still  verry  bad,  but  not  so  high  as  Stewart. 
This  day  the  Cap?  ordered  some  Cock  and  hen  to  be  killed  and  fresh 
broth  made  for  the  sick. 

Munday,  4th.  Wind  weather  and  course  still  as  before  and  jogging 
on  from  4  to  6  knots  at  an  average  per  houre.  at  5  pm  I  was  oblidged  to 
get  Stewart  blister'd  and  sat  up  again  all  night  with  him,  having  become 
his  nurse  for  Country  sake  he  being  the  first  in  the  Mace  that  was  taken 
ill,  and  I  was  not  sure  how  soon  it  might  be  my  own  fate.  But  thank 
God  I  am  as  yet  well  and  hearty.  This  night  I  supped  on  a  dish  called 
Scratchplatters.  it  is  made  of  biscuits  broack  small  and  soacked  in  water 
until  they  are  soft,  and  then  Winegar,  oile,  salt,  and  Onions  cut  small 
put  to  it,  and  supped  with  spoons. 

Wednesday,  6th.  ...  I  have  wore  no  Britches  nor  stockins  since 
we  got  into  the  trade  winds'  only  a  pair  of  long  trousers  down  to  my 
buckles.     And  this  day  having  put  on  a  shorter  pair  untill  my  longest 

'  Scene. 

^Lat.  this  day  27°  37'  N.     On  the  tenth  they  were  near  Barbadoes. 


Diary  of  John  Harroiver  75 

pair  was  wash'd,  I  got  both  my  Ancles  burned  by  the  sun,  it  is  so  verry 
hot  here. 

Tuesday,  igth.  .  .  .  This  day  I  brought  up  M'  Jones '  Journall  for 
five  days  baclc,  also  Cap!  Bovvers  Journall  for  four  days  back  and  at  same 
time  begged  me  to  mark  the  Logg  Book  and  ordred  that  Whoever  hade 
the  charge  of  watch  to  aquant  me  what  the  ship  went  per  Logg  &c. 

Thursday,  21st.  This  morning  a  young  lad,  one  of  the  serv?  being 
verry  ill  with  the  Fever  and  Ague,  he  begged  me  to  apply  to  Mr.  Jones 
the  Cheif  Mate,  and  told  me  he  cou'd  give  him  something  that  would 
cure  him ;_  Mr.  Jones  first  desired  me  to  give  him  a  Womite  and  then 
wrote  the  following  lines  on  a  slip  of  paper  and  after  folding  it  up  gave 
it  to  me,  to  see  it  tyed  up  in  the  corner  of  his  handkirchif  or  Cravat  and 
wear  it  at  his  breast  next  his  skin  with  strick  charge  not  to  look  at  it 
himself  nor  let  any  other  person  see  it  or  look  at  it  untill  he  was  got  wel. 
The  words  are  as  follows. 

When  Jesus  saw  the  Cross  he  trembled. 
The  Jews  said  unto  him  why  tremblest  thou, 
You  have  neither  got  an  Ague  nor  a  fever. 
Jesus  Answered  and  said  unto  them 
I  have  neither  got  an  Ague  nor  a  fever 
But  whosoever  keepeth  my  words 
Shall  neither  have  an  Ague  nor  a  fever. 

Mr.  Jones  told  me  when  he  gave  me  the  above  copy  it  [was]  a  ser- 
tain  cure  for  the  fever  and  Ague,  the  paitient  being  first  womited  and 
then  wearing  the  lines  as  above  directed.  But  if  they  show  it  to  any  or 
look  at  it  themselves  it  will  have  no  effect. 

Freiday,  22d.  This  day  I  was  seased  with  a  sever  Cold  and  Aching 
in  my  bones.  But  I  thank  God  I  am  weel  car'd  for  and  has  every  thing 
sent  me  from  the  Cabin  I  can  desire. 

Wednesday,  2jth.  This  morning  I  am  fairly  got  the  better  of  my 
cold  and  the  Aching  in  my  bones  and  am  able  to  stir  about.  ...  At  7 
pm  we  made  Cape  Henry  and  the  Coast  plain,  we  then  highesed  our  flagg 
for  a  Pillot  Boat  and  at  pm  we  hade  four  Pillot  boats  along  side  and 
Cap'  Bowrs  took  one  M'  Cooper  who  brought  us  within  the  Capes,  and 
to  an  Anchor  at  10  pm  where  we  lay  all  night. 

Thursday,  28th.  At  7  AM  the  Pillot  wegh'd  Anchor  and  wrought 
the  ship  up  to  Hampton  Roads  where  we  came  to  an  Anchor  at  10  AM. 
This  morning  I  was  employ' d  in  Making  out  a  Clean  list  of  the  servants 
names  and  Business  and  age,  and  how  soon  I  was  done "  Cap!  Bowers 
went  ashore  in  the  Pillot  boat  to  Hamton  on  Elizabeth  river,  we  have 
some  goods  to  put  out  before  we  leave  this  place,  at  night,  a  deal  of 
Thunder,  lightning  and  rain. 

Monday,  May  2d.  Wind  as  before,  fine  fair  warm  weather,  got  out 
the  rest  of  the  goods  that  was  for  Hampton,  at  2  pm  the  Cap*  Carried 

'  James  Jones,  chief  mate,  then  sick.  *  /  ^,  ^  as  soon  as  I  was  done. 


76  Doanncnts 

five  serv"  ashore  to  Hampton  in  order  to  sell  their  Indentures,  But  re- 
turned again  at  Midnight  with  [out]  selling  any  more  but  one  Boat 
Builder,  he  brought  onb'!  with  him  four  Barrells  Virginia  Pork  and  one 
Puncheon  D°  rum,  and  3  live  hogs. 

Tuesday,  3d.  Wind  at  W.  N.  W.  fine  moderate  weather,  at  6  AM 
weigh' d  Anchor  from  Hampton  Roads,  and  stood  out  to  sea  untill  we 
made  the  Entry  of  Rappahannock  river,  which  we  did  at  10  AM,  pro- 
ceeding up  the  same  for  Fredericksburgh.  at  6  pm  came  to  an  anchor  at 
Arrabanna. ' 

Frciday,  6th.  Wind  as  before,  at  4  AM  got  under  saile  and  stood 
up  the  river  and  at  9  AM  passed  by  the  Town  of  Hobshole^  and  let  it  on 
our  Larboard  hand  as  we  did  the  Town  of  Arrabanna.  at  Hobshole 
there  was  five  Glasgow  ships  and  an  English  Brigantine  lying,  at  2  pm 
we  passed  by  Leedstown^  on  our  Starboard  hand  where  there  was  a  ship 
from  London  lying  with  Convicts,  at  night  came  to  anchor  about  6  Miles 
above  Leedstown. 

SatiD'day,  jtli.  This  morning  thick  weather,  at  10  AM  got  under 
way  and  stood  up  to  Port  Royall  on  our  Larboard  hand  where  we  arrived 
at  2  pm,  The  Cap!  going  ashore  to  change  his  Pillot,  and  at  4  pm  re- 
turned with  Another  and  we  imediatly  got  under  way  again  and  got 
about  7  miles  above  Port  Royall  before  dark,  all  along  both  sides  of  the 
River  there  is  nothing  to  be  seen  but  woods  in  the  blossom,  Gentlemens 
seats  and  Planters  houses. 

Sunday,  8th.  Early  this  morning  died  the  old  German,  a  man  be- 
tween 60  and  70  years  of  age.  at  5  AM  weigh'd  Anchor  and  tow'd  and 
warped  up,  it  being  quite  calm,  at  9  AM  was  obliged  to  come  to  an 
Anchor,  and  ly  untill  the  tide  made,  and  then  weigh'd  and  got  about  3 
Miles  above  Port  Morton  where  we  lay  all  night,  this  forenoon  we  lost 
one  of  our  live  hogs,  he  Jumping  overboard  and  swiming  ashore  and 
imediatly  got  into  the  woods,  at  night  the  Cap!  carried  the  old  German 
ashore  and  Burried  him  somewhere  in  the  woods. 

Tuesday,  loth.  At  2  AM  weigh'd  and  stood  up  with  the  tide,  came 
to  an  anchor  at  6  AM  and  lay  untill  Do.  8  when  we  weigh'd  with  a  fair 
wind  and  got  to  our  Moorings  at  6  pm  at  the  Toun  of  Fredericksburgh. 

Wednesday,  nth.  At  10  AM  Both  Coopers  and  the  Barber  from 
our  Mace  went  ashore  upon  tryall.  At  night  one  Daniel  Turner  a  serv' 
returned  onb'  from  Liberty  so  drunk  that  he  abused  the  Cap!  and  chief 
Mate  and  Boatswan  to  a  verry  high  degree,  which  made  to  be  horse 
whip'  put  in  Irons  and  thumb  screwed,  on  houre  afterward  he  was  un- 
thumbscrewed,  taken  out  of  the  Irons,  but  then  he  was  hand  cuffed,  and 
gagged  all  night. 

Thursday,  12th.  All  hands  quite  on  board  this  day.  Turner  un- 
gagged  But  continoued  in  handcuffs. 

'  Urbanna,  in  Middlesex  County. 

^Hobb's  Hole,  in  Richmond  County.     See  Americ.\n  Historical  Review,  V. 
313,  314,  Journal  of  Philip  Fithian,  August  2  of  this  same  year. 
^  Leeds,  in  Westmoreland. 


Diary  of  John  Har rower  7  7 

Freiday,  13th.  This  forenoon  put  ashore  here  what  bale  goods  we 
hade  remaining  onboard,  in  the  afternoon  Mr.  Burnet,  Stewart  and 
myself  went  ashore  on  liberty  to  take  a  walk  and  see  the  Toun,  who's 
principal  street  is  about  half  an  English  Mile  long,  the  houses  generally 
at  a  little  distance  one  from  another,  some  of  them  being  built  of  wood 
and  some  of  them  of  brick,  and  all  covered  with  wood  in  the  form  of 
sclates  about  four  Inches  broad,  which  when  painted  blue  you  wou'd  not 
know  it  from  a  house  sclated  with  Isedell  sclate.'  In  this  Toun  the 
Church,''  the  Counsell  house,  the  Tolbooth  the  Gallows  and  the  Pillory 
are  all  within  130  ydf  of  each  other.  The  Market  house  is  a  large  brick 
Building  a  litle  way  from  the  Church,  here  we  drank  some  Bottles  of 
beer  of  their  own  brewing  and  some  bottles  of  Cyder  for  which  we  paid 
3tV  per  bottle  of  each.,  returned  on  board  in  the  evening.  Turner  still 
in  handcuffs. 

Miinday,  i6th.  This  day  severalls  came  onb'!  to  purchase  serv'.'  In- 
dentures and  among  them  there  was  two  Soul  drivers,  they  are  men 
who  make  it  their  business  to  go  onW  all  ships  who  have  in  either  Ser- 
vants or  Convicts  and  buy  sometimes  the  whole  and  sometimes  a  parcell 
of  them  as  they  can  agree,  and  then  they  drive  them  through  the  Coun- 
try like  a  parcell  of  Sheep  untill  they  can  sell  them  to  advantage,  but 
all  went  away  without  buying  any. 

Tuesday,  i/tJi.  This  day  M'  Anderson  the  Merch'  sent  for  me  into 
the  [cabin]  and  verry  genteely  told  me  that  on  my  recomendations  he 
would  do  his  outmost  to  get  me  settled  as  a  Clerk  or  bookeeper  if  not  as 
a  schoolmaster  which  last  he  told  me  he  thought  wou'd  turn  out  more  to 
my  advantage  upon  being  settled  in  a  good  famely. 

The  ships  crew  and  servants  employed  in  getting  ashore  all  the  cask 
out  of  the  hould,  no  sales  th*  day. 

Wednesday,  i8th.  This  day  the  ships  crew  and  servants  imployed  in 
getting  out  the  ballast  and  unrigging  the  ship.  One  Cooper,  one  Black- 
smith and  one  Shoemaker  were  settled  with  Masters  this  day. 

Thursday,  igt/i.  One  Farmer's  time  sold  and  one  Cabinet  Maker 
on  tryall. 

Saturday,  21  sf.  This  day  one  M'.  Cowly  a  man  'twixt  fifty  and  sixty 
years  of  age,  a  serv!,  also  three  sons  of  his  their  ages  from  eight  to  four- 
teen were  all  settled  with  one  McDonald  a  Scotchman. 

Munday,  2jd.  This  morning  a  great  number  of  Gentlemen  and 
Ladies  driving  into  Town  it  being  an  annuall  Fair'  day  and  tomorrow 
the  day  of  the  Horse  races,  at  11  AM  M"^  Anderson  begged  to  settle  as 
a  schoolmaster  with  a  friend  of  his  one  Colonel  Daingerfield*  and  told 

'  Easdale  or  Eisdale,  a  small  island  among  the  Hebrides,  entirely  composed  of  slate, 
and  at  this  time  famous  for  its  quarries. 

2  Of  the  parish  of  St.  George. 

3  A  law  of  1738  (Hening,  V.  82),  ordered  that  fairs  should  be  held  at  Fredericks- 
burg twice  a  year  for  the  sale  of  "cattle,  victuals,  provisions,  goods,  wares  and  mer- 
chandizes."    The  law,  continued  from  time  to  time,  had  last  been  renewed  in  1769. 

*  Col.  William  Daingerfield  of  Belvidera  was  the  son  of  Edwin  Daingerfield  and 
Mary  Bassett,  daughter  of  Col.  William  Bassett  of  Eltham.     The  Bassetts  were  near  of 


78  Documents 

me  he  was  to  be  in  Town  tomorrow,  or  perhaps  tonight,  and  how  soon 
he  came'  he  shou'd  aquant  me.  at  same  time  all  the  rest  of  the  servants 
were  ordred  ashore  to  a  tent  at  Fredericksb?  and  severall  of  their  Inden- 
tures were  then  sold,  about  4  pm  I  was  brought  to  Colonel  Dainger- 
field,  '  when  we  imediatly  agreed  and  my  Indenture  for  four  years  was 
then  delivered  him  and  he  was  to  send  for  me  the  next  day.  at  same 
time  ordred  to  get  all  my  dirty  Cloaths  of  every  kind  washed  at  his  ex- 
pense in  Toun ;  at  night  he  sent  me  five  shillings  onW  by  Cap!  Bowers 
to  keep  my  pocket. 

Tuesday,  24th.  This  morning  I  left  the  Ship  at  6  AM  having  been 
sixteen  weeks  and  six  days  on  board  her.  I  hade  for  Breackfast  after  I 
came  ashore  one  Chappin^  sweet  milk  for  which  I  paid  3^  Cur?,  at  1 1 
AM  went  to  see  a  horse  race  about  a  mille  from  Toun,  where  there  was  a 
number  of  Genteel  Company  as  well  as  others,  here  I  met  with  the 
Colonel  again  and  after  some  talk  with  him  he  gave  me  cash  to  pay  for 
washing  all  my  Cloaths  and  something  over.  The  reace  was  gain'd  by  a 
Bay  Mare,  a  white  boy  ridder.  There  was  a  gray  Mare  started  with  the 
Bay  a  black  boy  ridder  but  was  far  distant  the  last  heat.^ 

Wednesday,  2^fk.  I  Lodged  in  a  Tavern  last  night  and  paid  7^ 
for  my  Bedd  and  71  for  my  breackfast.  this  morning  a  verry  heavy  rain 
untill  II  AM.  Then  I  rec'!  my  Linens  &c.  all  clean  washed  and  pack- 
ing every  thing  up  I  went  onboard  the  ship  and  Bought  this  Book  for 
which  I  paid  i8d.  Stf.  I  also  bought  a  small  Divinity  book  called  the 
Christian  Monitor  and  a  spelling  book,  both  at  7-I-  and  an  Arithmetick 
at  i/6d.  all  for  my   Acco'. 

Thursday,  26th.  This  day  at  noon  the  Colonel  sent  a  Black  with  a 
cuple  of  Horses  for  me  and  soon  after  I  set  out  on  Horseback  and  aravied 
at  his  seat  of  Belvidera  about  3  pm  and  after  I  hade  dined  the  Colonel 
took  me  to  a  neat  little  house  at  the  upper  end  of  an  Avenue  of  planting 
at  500  ydf  from  the  Main  house,  where  I  was  to  keep  the  school,  and 
Lodge  myself  in  it. 

This  place  is  verry  pleasantly  situated  on  the  Banks  of  the  River  Rap- 
pahannock about  seven  miles  below  the  Toun  of  Fredericksburgh  and  the 
school's  right  above  the  Warff  so  that  I  can  stand  in  the  door  and  pitch 
a  stone  onboard  of  any  ship  or  Boat  going  up  or  coming  doun  the  river. 
Freiday,  2jtk.  This  morning  about  8  AM  the  Colonel  delivered  his 
three  sons  to  my  Charge  to  teach  them  to  read  write  and  figure,  his 
oldest  son  Edwin  10  years  of  age,  intred  into  two  syllables  in  the  spelling 
book,  Bathourest  [Bathurst]  his  second  son  six  years  of  age  in  the  Alpha- 
bete  and  William  his  third  son  4  years  of  age  does  not  know  the  letters. 

Itin  to  Martha  Washington.     Col.  Daingerfield's  grandfather  was  William  Daingerfield, 
who  married  Elizabeth  Bathurst,  daughter  of  Lancelot  Bathurst  of  Virginia,  fifth  son  of 
Sir  Edward  Bathurst  of  Sussex,  England. 
'  /.  e.,  as  soon  as  he  came. 

2  A  Scottish  measure,  about  equivalent  to  an  American  quart. 

3  The  Fredericksburg  races  were  by  this  time  a  long-established  institution.  See 
Mr.  W.  G.  Stanard's  notes  on  Virginia  horse-racing  in  the  Virginia  Magazine,  II.  293- 
305- 


Diary  of  John  Narrower  79 

he  has  likeways  a  Daughter  whose  name  is  Hanna  Basset  Years  of  age. 
Soon  after  we  were  all  sent  for  to  breackfast  to  which  we  hade  tea, 
Bread,  Butter  and  cold  meat  and  there  was  at  table  the  Colonel,  his  Lady, 
his  Children,  the  housekeeper  and  myself.  At  11  AM  the  Colonel  and 
his  Lady  went  some  where  to  pay  a  visite,  he  upon  horseback  and  she  in 
her  Charriot.  At  2  pm  I  dined  with  the  Housekeeper  the  Children  and 
a  stranger  Lady,  at  6  pm  I  left  school,  and  then  I  eat  plenty  of  fine 
strawberries,  but  they  neither  drink  Tea  in  the  afternoon  nor  eat  any 
supper  here  for  the  most  part.  My  school  Houres  is  from  6  to  8  in  the 
morning,  in  the  forenoon  from  9  to  12  and  from  3  to  6  in  the  afternoon. 
Sunday,  2gth.  There  is  no  church  nearer  Belvidera  than  Fredericks- 
burgh,  and  for  want  of  a  sadle  I  was  oblidged  to  stay  at  home  all  day  and 
when  I  was  alone  in  the  school  I  thought  on  the  following  verses. 


In  Virginia  now  I  am,  at  Belvidera  settled, 

but  may  they  ever  mercy  find,  who  hade  the  cause 

that  I  am  from  my  sweet  wife  seperated 

And  Oblidged  to  leave  my  Infant  Children  Fatherless. 

2'1 
As  a  schoolmaster,  I  am  here  ; 
And  must  for  four  years,  remain  so  ; 
May  I  indeavour  the  Lord  to  fear, 
And  always  his  commands  do. 

3" 
For  in  Gods  strength  I  do  rely, 
that  he  at  his  appointed  time. 
Will  bring  me  back  my  family, 
if  I  his  precepts  do  but  mind. 

4'." 
O  May  my  God  provide  for  them, 
Who  unto  me  are  near  and  dear  ; 
tho  they  afar  off"  me  are  from 

0  Jesus  keep  them  in  thy  fear. 

S'-' 
Do  thou  enable  me  to  labour, 
and  my  fortune  do  thou  mind  ; 
that  what  I  get  by  thy  favour, 

1  to  my  family  may  send. 

O  Lord  my  God  do  thou  them  save 

from  dangers  and  from  death 

And  may  they  food  and  rayment  have 

and  for  the  same  may  thankfull  be  while  they  have  breath. 


8o  DociDuents 


And  may  we  all  ever  gloryfie  thy  name 
and  loud  thy  praises  sing 
and  unto  all  make  known  the  fame 
of  Jehova  our  almighty  king, 
g.i, 

O  ever  blessed  be  the  Lord, 

the  King  of  all  the  earth  is  he, 

let  us  exalt  his  name  with  one  Accord 

and  thankfuU  unto  him  be  ye.  Finis. 

After  dinner  I  took  a  walk  about  a  Miles  distance  from  the  house 
along  the  highway,  and  by  the  road  side  seed  a  Corn  Mill  and  another 
pretty  house  called  Snow  Creek  belonging  to  the  Colonel. 

Tuesday,  jist.  This  day  there  was  about  fifty  white  Ewes  and 
Lambs  feeding  'twix  the  main  house  and  the  school  door  and  so  tame 
that  they  wou'd  come  and  look  in  at  the  door  and  see  what  we  was  doing, 
the  lambs  here  are  as  large  at  this  date  as  in  Zetland  at  Michelsmass,  being 
of  the  english  bread. 

]Ved>u'siiay,  June  ist.  This  day  there  was  prayers  in  all  the  Churches 
in  Virginia '  on  Acco'  of  the  disagreement  at  present  betwixt  great 
Brittain  and  her  Colonies  in  North  America,  On  Acco!  of  their  not 
agreeing  to  pay  a  duty  on  Tea  laid  on  them  by  the  british  parliment  and 
the  Bostonians  destroying  a  Quantity  of  Tea  belonging  to  the  British  East 
India  Comp-  in  1773. 

Freiday,  3d.  This  day  I  eat  green  pease  at  dinner,  this  being  the 
last  of  them  this  season  here. 

Wednesday,  8th.  This  day  I  eat  plenty  of  fine  ripe  Cherries  brought 
out  of  the  woods  this  morning  by  the  Colonel. 

Freiday,  loth.  Rec''  two  pair  fine  new  brown  thread  stockins. 
Below  is  an  Inventory  of  the  Cloaths  &c  I  brought  to  Belvidera  with  me 
Viz. 

One  Superfine  Brown  Cloath  Coat  full  mounted. 

One  D°  vest  Coat. 

One  floored'  silk  D° 

One  fine  marsyled  ^  D" 

One  Brown  Duffel  D" 

One  pair  new  black  Stockins  Britches 

One  pair  new  Doe  skin  D° 

One  pair  flannen  Drawers. 

One  pair  Osenburgh  *  D° 

■The  fast-day  decreed  by  the  Virginia  House  of  Burgesses.  See  Jefferson's  autobi- 
ography. 

2  Flowered. 

3  Marseilles. 
*  Osnabiirg. 


Diary  of  John  Harroiver  8i 

Six  Ruffled  Shirts 
five  plain  white  D" 
One  Cheque  D" 
One  Blue  Cloath  Jacket 
Seven  Musline  Stocks 
One  Black  silk  Cravate 

One  pair  Ribbed  Cotton  Stockins  f   Severall  other 

Ten  pair  worsted  D"  Articles  besides 

One  new  Hat  and  one  D°  Wigg.  what  are  here 

Five  pocket  Napkins.  I    mentioned  but 

two  hand  Towels  are  too  tedeous 

two  pair  Trousers  \    to  mention. 

One  pair  Shoes  ;  with  Pinchback  shoe,  stock  and 
knee  buckles. 

One  trunk,  with  fine  lock  and  hinges. 

Saturday,  nth.  At  9  AM  left  the  school  and  went  a  fishing  on  the 
River  with  the  Colonel  his  eldest  [Son]  and  another  Gentleman  in  two 
Canoes,  Mrs.  Dangerfield  another  Lady  and  the  other  two  boys  mett  us 
at  Snow  Creek  in  the  Chair  at  2  pm  when  we  all  dined  on  fish  under  a  tree. 

Sunday,  12th.  This  day  at  Church  at  Fredericksburgh  and  at  same 
time  settled  a  Correspondance  at  Glasgow  for  getting  letters  from  home, 
by  their  being  put  under  cover  to  Messrs.  Anderson  and  Horsburgh 
Merch'."  in  D"  and  the  expence  charged  to  Mr.  Glassel '  Merch  \  in  Fred- 
ericksb?  Virginia. 

Tuesday,  14th.  This  morning  entred  to  school  William  Pattie  son 
to  John  Pattie  wright,  and  Salley  Evens  daughter  to  Thomas  Evens  Planter. 
This  day  I  wrote  my  wife  a  particular  Acco'  of  all  my  transactions  since 
I  wrote  her  from  London  26'.''  Jan!  last,  the  Coppy  of  which  I  have  by  me.' 

Thursday,  i6th.  This  eveng  the  Colonel  told  me  he  hade  about  400 
Acres  of  land  in  wheat  and  as  much  in  Indian  Corn  every  year  and  that 
he  comonly  exported  about  3600  bushels  of  wheat  every  year  besides 
serving  his  own  Family.  But  that  he  did  not  expect  to  have  above  the 
one  half  th".  year  owing  to  a  strong  frost  they  had  in  Aprile  last. 

Freiday,  lyth.  This  day  rec!"  two  pair  new  Rushia  drill  britches  and 
two  new  short  Coats  of  Brown  Holland. 

Munday,  20th.  This  morning  entred  to  school  Philip  and  Dorothea 
Edge's  Children  of  M'  Benjaman  Edge  Planter.  Same  day  Colonel 
Dangerfield  began  to  cut  down  his  wheat,  which  they  do  with  a  syth. 

Tuesday,  21st.  This  day  M'  Samuel  Edge  Planter  came  to  me  and 
begged  me  to  take  a  son  of  his  to  school  who  was  both  deaf  and  dum, 
and  I  consented  to  try  what  I  cou'd  do  with  him. 

'John  Glassell  was  a  Scotsman  who  came  to  Fredericksburgh  and  became  a  promi- 
nent merchant  there.  A  wharf  there  is  still  known  as  Glassell' s.  Ke  returned  to  Scot- 
land at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  His  only  daughter,  whose  marriage- 
portion  was  lifty  thousand  pounds  sterling,  married  in  1820  Lord  John  Campbell,  after- 
ward the  seventh  duke  of  Argyll ;  and  was  the  mother  of  the  late  duke. 

^  See  its  text  under  August  7,  post. 
VOL.  VI. — 6. 


82  Docitmcnts 

Thursday,  2jtf.  This  day  entred  to  school  John  Edge  son  to  the 
above  named  M'  Sam:  Edge,  he  is  a  lad  about  14  years  of  age  and  is  both 
deaf  and  dum.' 

Saturday,  2jth.  This  afternoon  I  went  and  took  a  walk  in  the  wheat 
field  and  under  a  tree  I  filled  all  my  pockets  of  as  fine  walnuts  as  ever  I 
eat,  But  so  hard  shell  that  I  was  oblidged  to  have  a  hammer  to  breack  them. 

Sunday,  26th.  After  Breackfast  I  took  a  walk  3  Miles  to  Mr.  Edge's, 
the  dum  lad's  fathers  where  I  dined  and  drank  some  grogg  and  returned 
home  in  the  afternoon,  at  night  I  had  a  small  Congregation  of  Negroes, 
learng  their  Catechisim  and  hearing  me  read  to  them. 

Sunday,  July  jd.  At  home  all  the  forenoon,  in  the  afternoon  went 
to  see  One  Mr.  Richards  an  Overseer  and  his  wife  where  I  eat  plenty  of 
honney  out  of  the  Comb,  it  being  taken  out  of  a  Beehive  in  a  tree  in  the 
woods  last  night. 

Freiday,  8th.  After  school  houres  I  went  two  Miles  to  see  the  Taylor 
who  made  my  Cloaths  he  being  a  Brittoner  but  married  to  a  Buckskine,^ 
and  I  found  his  wife  and  Daughters  drinking  tea,  at  which  I  joyned  them, 
The  Taylor  not  being  at  home. 

Tuesday,  12th.  Sold  the  spelling  book  that  I  bought  Onb''  the 
Planter  25"'  May  last,  and  got  the  same  money  for  it  that  I  paid  for  the 
Christian  Monitor  and  it. 

Saturday,  i6th.  This  afternoon  the  Colonel  finished  the  cutting 
down  of  His  wheat  which  cost  of  wages  to  hired  people  ^23  :  10  Curr- 
besides  their  victualls  and  drink. 

ATunday,  i8th.  This  morning  entred  to  School  Lewis  Richards. 
Same  day  I  put  on  a  pair  of  new  shoes  made  in  Fredericksburgh  of  Eng- 
lish calf  leather  the  price  of  them  12/6  Cur7.  Same  day  gave  one  pair 
of  old  worsted  stockins  for  22  foot  of  Gum  plank  10  Inch  broad  and  one 
thick  to  make  me  a  Chest. 

Tuesday,  igth.  On  Freiday  15"'  Ins'  John  Edge  the  Dumb  lad  left 
the  school  at  6  pm  and  has  not  returned  since. 

Wednesday,  20th.  On  Munday  4'.''  Ins'  at  6  pm  William  Pattie  left 
the  school  and  has  not  returned  since. 

Munday,  25th.     Nothing  remarkable.      Jn?  Edge  return*!  to  school. 

Sunday,  August  jth.  This  afternoon  meeting  accidentaly  with  a 
Gentleman  here  who  was  on  his  way  to  London  I  wrote  my  wife  a  few 
lines  by  him  having  wrote  her  fully  14'!'  June  last  but  having  omitted  to 

'  Nothing  in  the  diary  surpasses  in  interest  the  entries  relating  to  John  Edge.  He 
was,  in  fact,  so  far  as  is  known,  the  first  deaf  mute  instructed  in  America.  No 
instance  so  early  occurs  in  Dr.  Alexander  Graham  Bell's  "  Historical  Notes  concerning  the 
Teaching  of  Speech  to  the  Deaf,"  in  the  Association  Review  for  Februaiy,  1900,  and  sub- 
sequent numbers.  John  Boiling  of  Cobbs,  Virginia,  the  first  American  deaf  mute  to  receive 
an  education,  was  sent  to  John  Braidwood's  school  in  Edinburgh  in  1771,  and  did  not 
return  till  1783.  What  methods  Ilarrower  used,  we  can  only  guess.  It  is  highly  improb- 
able that  he  knew  those  of  Braidwood,  who  carefully  kept  them  secret ;  and  Cobbs  was 
far  away.  I'or  subsequent  details  of  Harrower's  experiment,  see  the  entries  of  July  19 
and  25,  1774,  March  18  and  May  20,  1775,  but  especially  the  letter  of  December  6,  1774. 

^/.  €.,  American. 


Diary  of  John  Harrower  83 

insert  the  Coppy  in  it's  proper  place  I  now  do  it  here  before  I  insert  the 
coppy  of  my  second  Letter  to  her  from  this  country. 

Belvidera  14'.''  June  1774. 
My  Dearest  Life 

I  wrote  you  from  London  on  AVednesday  26'.''  Jan''  last  which  Im 
hopefull  came  safe  to  hand,  and  found  you  and  my  dear  Infants  in  perfect 
health,  and  am  hopefull  this  will  find  both  you  and  them  in  the  same 
state,  As  I  am  at  present  and  have  been  I  bless  God  since  I  left  you.  You 
will  remember  when  I  wrote  you  last,  I  informed  you  that  I  was  to  go  for 
Baltimore  in  Maryland,  But  I  altred  my  design  in  that  and  came,  here 
it  being  a  more  healthy  pleace.  I  sailed  from  London  on  Freiday  the  4'!' 
Feb?  last,  and  arrived  in  Hampton  roads  in  Virginia  on  the  27  April,  hav- 
ing been  a  Month  of  the  time  at  Spithead  in  England.  As  to  particulars 
of  our  Voyage  &'"  it  would  take  up  too  much  room  here  to  insert  it. 
But  I  have  a  Journal  of  every  days  transactions  and  remarcable  Occur- 
ances  since  the  morning  I  left  you  which  will  be  amusing  to  you  when 
please  God  we  are  spared  to  meet,  for  I  design  to  see  and  prepare  a  way 
for  you  all  in  this  Country  how  soon  I  am  able. — I  shall  now  aquant  you 
w'  my  situation  in  this  Country.  I  am  now  settled  with  on  Colonel  W™ 
Dangerfield  Esq'  of  Belvidera,  on  the  Banks  of  the  River  Rappahannock 
about  160  miles  from  the  Capes  or  sea  mouth,  and  seven  Miles  below  the 
Toun  of  Fredericksburgh.  My  business  is  to  teach  his  Children  to  read 
write  and  figure,  Edwin  his  oldest  son  about  8  years  of  [age]  Bathurest 
his  second  6  years  of  age  and  William  his  youngest  son  4  years  of  age. 
he  has  also  a  Daughter  whose  name  is  Hanna  Basset.  I  came  to  this 
place  on  Thursday  26""  May  and  next  morning  I  received  his  three  sons 
into  my  charge  to  teach,  the  two  youngest  boys  I  got  in  A  :  B  :  C.  and 
the  oldest  Just  begun  to  syllab  and  I  have  now  the  two  youngest  spell- 
ing and  the  oldest  reading.  I  am  obliged  to  teach  in  the  English  method 
which  was  a  little  aquard  to  me  at  first  but  now  quite  easy.  I  am  also 
obliged  to  talk  english  the  best  I  can,'  for  Lady  Dangerfield  speacks 
nothing  but  high  english,  and  the  Colonel  hade  his  Education  in  Eng- 
land and  is  a  verry  smart  Man.  As  to  my  agreement  it  is  as  follows  Viz'  I 
am  obliged  to  continue  with  Col!  Dangerfield  for  four  years  if  he  insists 
on  it,  and  for  teaching  his  own  children  I  have  Bed,  Board,  washing  and 
all  kind  of  Cloaths  during  the  above  time,  and  for  what  schoolars  I  can 
get  more  than  his  Children  I  have  five  shillings  currency  per  Quarter  for 
each  of  them,  which  is  equall  to  four  shillings  sterling,  and  I  expect  ten 
or  twelve  to  school  next  week,  for  after  I  hade  been  here  eight  days  and 
my  abilities  and  my  behavior  sufficiently  tried,  the  Colonel  rode  through 
the  neighbouring  Gentlemen  and  Planters  in  order  to  procure  scollars  for 
me,  so  that  I  hope  in  a  short  time  to  make  something  of  it.  And  as  I 
have  no  Occasion  to  spend  a  farthing  on  myself  every  shill!  I  make  shall 
be  carefully  remitted  you,  for  your  support  and  my  Dear  Infants.      But  I 

'The  Norse  language  was  not  quite  extinct  in  Shetland  in  1774,  according  to  Low, 
Totir  through  the  Islands  of  Orkney  and  Shetland,  and  the  ordinary  speech  of  the  island- 
ers was  a  dialect  much  mixed  with  Norse  words  and  forms. 


84  Docti7nc7its 

must  be  some  time  here    before  any  thing  can  be  done,  for  you  know 
every  thing  must  have  a  beginning. 

As  to  my  living  I  eat  at  their  own  table,  and  our  witualls  are  all 
Dressed  in  the  English  taste,  we  have  for  Breackfast  either  Coffie  or 
Jaculate,'  and  warm  Loaf  bread  of  the  best  floor,  we  have  also  at  table 
warm  loaf  bread  of  Indian  corn,  which  is  extreamly  good  but  we  use  the 
floor  bread  always  at  breackfast.  for  Dinner  smoack'd  bacon  or  what 
we  cal  pork  ham  is  a  standing  dish  either  warm  or  cold,  when  warm  we 
have  greens  with  it,  and  when  cold  we  have  sparrow  grass,  we  have  also 
either  warm  roast  pigg,  Lamb,  Ducks,  or  chickens,  green  pease  or  any 
thing  else  they  fancy.  As  for  Tea  there  is  none  drunk  by  any  in  this 
Government  since  i'.'  June  last,  nor  will  they  buy  a  2'"  worth  of  any 
kind  of  east  India  goods,  which  is  owing  to  the  difference  at  present  be- 
twixt the  Parliment  of  great  Britton  and  the  North  Americans  about  lay- 
ing a  tax  on  the  tea ;  and  I'm  afraid  if  the  Parliment  do  not  give  it  over 
it  will  cause  a  total  revolt  as  all  the  North  Americans  are  determined  to 
stand  by  one  another,  and  resolute  on  it  that  they  will  not  submit.  I 
have  the  news  paper  sent  me  to  school  regularly  every  week  by  the  Col'. 
— Our  family  consists  of  the  Col',  his  Lady  and  four  Children  a  house- 
keeper an  Overseer  and  myself  all  white.  But  how  many  blacks  young 
and  old  the  Lord  only  knows  for  I  belive  there  is  about  thirty  that  works 
every  day  in  the  field  besides  the  servants  about  the  house  ;  such  as  Gard- 
ner, livery  men  and  pages.  Cooks,  washer  and  dresser,  sewster  and  wait- 
ing girle.  They  wash  here  the  whitest  that  ever  I  seed  for  they  first 
Boyle  all  the  Cloaths  with  soap,  and  then  wash  them,  and  I  may  put  on 
clean  linen  every  day  if  I  please.  My  school  is  a  neate  litle  House  20 
foot  long  and  12  foot  vi^ide  and  it  stands  by  itself  at  the  end  of  an 
Avenue  of  planting  about  as  far  from  the  main  house  as  Rob!  Forbes's^  is 
from  the  burn,  and  there  comes  a  bonny  black  bairn  every  morning  to 
clean  it  out  and  make  my  bed,  for  I  sleep  in  it  by  myself  I  have  a  verry 
fine  feather  bed  under  me,  and  a  pair  of  sheets,  a  thin  fold  of  a  Blanket 
and  a  Cotton  bed  spread  is  all  my  bed  cloaths,  and  I  find  them  just 
enough,  as  for  myself  I  supose  you  wou'd  scarce  know  me  now,  there 
being  nothing  either  brown,  blew,  or  black  about  me  but  the  head 
and  feet,  I  being  Dressed  in  short  cloath  Coat,  vest  Coat,  and  britches 
all  made  of  white  cotton  without  any  lyning  and  thread  stockins  and 
wearing  my  own  hair  curled  round  like  a  wigg.  at  present  a  suite  of 
Cloaths  costs  five  and  twenty  shillings  here  of  making  which  I  really 
think  verry  high. 

I  was  Sunday  last  at  Fredericksburgh  at  church  and  I  then  settled  a 
safe  Correspondance  for  your  letters  to  come  to  me,  and  shall  give  you 

•  Chocolate. 

'In  the  "  Annals  of  the  County  of  Zetland  ",  referred  to  in  the  introductory  hnes, 
sitpra^  this  entry  is  to  be  found,  under  date  of  1767  :  **  Compeared  Robert  Forbes  and 
James  Forbes,  both  Operative  Masons  in  Lerwick,  Who  undertook  to  furnish  and  work 
all  the  Free  Stone  necessary  in  the  foresaid  Intended  Tolbooth,"  etc  Passages,  in 
the  letters  of  December  6,  1774,  August  28  and  September  8,  1775,  which  see,  post, 
serve  to  identify  the  former  of  these  two  brothers  with  Harrower's  former  friend. 


Diary  of  Jolin  Hai'roiver  85 

the  proper  directions  below.  As  for  myself  I  thank  God  I  want  for 
nothing  that  is  necessary,  But  it  brings  tears  from  my  eyes  to  think  of 
you  and  my  infants  when  at  the  same  time  it  is  not  in  my  power  at 
present  to  help  you.  But  how  soon  I  am  able  you  may  depend  upon  it. 
I  have  litle  else  to  say  at  present  ;  only  may  the  great  God  who  governs 
all  things  wisely  suport  you  and  my  Infants,  and  guide  and  direct  you 
in  all  your  ways. 

I  shall  write  you  again  soon  and  when  you  write  me  direct  my  letters 
as  follows  Vizi  to  John  Harrower  at  the  seat  of  Colonel  Wf  Dangerfield 
Esqf  of  Belvidera  near  Fredericksburgh  on  Rappahannock  River  Vir- 
ginia ;  Then  you  must  take  half  a  sheet  of  paper  and  write  another  letter 
the  contents  of  which  may  be  as  follows  Viz'  Gentlemen,  being  desired 
by  my  husband  to  send  his  letters  under  cover  to  you.  You  will  please 
forward  the  inclosed  by  the  first  ship  bound  for  any  part  in  Virginia  and 
charge  Mf  Glassel  Merchtl  in  Fredericksburgh  with  the  expence  you  are 
at ;  I  am  yours  &':"  Signed  A.  H.  After  you  have  closed  my  letter  and 
directed  it  as  above.  You  will  inclose  it  in  the  above,  and  direct  it  as 
follows  To  Mess"  Anderson  and  Horsburgh  Merch'."  in  Glasgow.  You 
must  get  some  person  to  fold  up  your  letters  properly  and  on  who  writes 
a  clear  Distinct  hand  to  direct  them.  Pray  write  me  verry  particularly 
how  it  is  with  you  and  my  D'  Infants,  likeways  any  thing  that  is  remarc- 
able  in  the  Country.  I  shall  conclude  this  with  offering  my  Comp'.'  to 
all  enquiring  freinds  if  I  have  any  and  my  sinceer  prayers  both  evening 
and  morn!^  for  you  and  my  Children.  My  Blessing  to  you  all,  is  all  at 
present  from  my  Dearest  Jewell  your  ever  aff'.''  Husband  untill  Death. 
Signed,  John  Harrower. 

Addressed,     To  Mrs.  John  Harrower  in  Lerwick,  Zetland. 

2"^  Letter  from  Virginia. 

Belvider,\  7  Aug'  1774. 
My  Dearest  Life 

1  wrote  you  verry  fully  14"'  June  last  to  which  I  refer  you  it  being 
verry  full,  but  meeting  Accidentally  Just  now  with  a  Gentleman  bound  to 
London,  I  have  just  time  to  write  you  a  few  lines  while  he  is  at  Dinner 
to  let  you  know  that  I  am  still  in  good  health  I  thank  God  for  it,  and 
am  hopefuU  this  will  find  you  and  my  D'  Infants  the  same.  I  gave  you 
verry  full  Directions  in  my  last  how  to  write  me  but  in  case  this  should 
come  to  hand  before  it,  I  shall  here  again  repeat  them. — See  Directions 
page  63.'  —  If  this  or  my  other  letter  comes  to  hand  before  the  Pacquet 
leaves  Zetland  for  the  last  time  this  winter '  pray  do  not  faill  to  write 

1 A  reference  to  the  preceding  page  of  the  manuscript  book. 

2  The  compiler  of  the  eighth  edition  oi  A  Tour  through  the  Island  of  Great  Brit- 
ain, London,  1778,  says,  IV.  324,  that  the  Shetlanders  are  deprived  "of  all  foreign  cor- 
respondence from  October  to  April,  during  which  time  they  hear  nothing  of  what  passes 
in  other  parts  of  the  world.  A  known  instance  of  this  was,  that  though  the  Revolution 
[of  1688]  happened  to  begin  in  November,  they  knew  nothing  of  it  till  the  May  follow- 
ing." This  is  taken  from  Brand's  Brief  Description  of  Orkney  and  Zetland,  1701, 
(Pinkerton,  III.  773)  but  was  doubtless  practically  true  seventy  years  later;  for  it  will 
be  observed,  under  date  of  May  27,  1775,  infra,  that  Harrower's  first  letter  from  his  wife, 
in  answer  to  his  letter  of  June  14,  1774,  is  dated  March  I,  1775. 


86  Docuiiicnis 

me  verry  fully  by  her.  I  have  Just  time  to  aquant  you  that  I  am  settled 
here  as  a  Schoolmaster  and  can  really  say  with  great  truth  that  I  never 
lived  a  genteel  regulare  life  untill  now.  I  shall  write  you  again  soon 
verry  fully  and  untill  then  I  am  with  my  blessing  to  you  my  Dear  and 
my  Dear  Infants  Your  ever  Aff'.°  husb'!  untill  death  —  Signed  —  John 
Harrower. 

Adressed,  To  Mrs.  John  Harrower,  Lerwick,  Zetland. 

Tuesday,  August  i6th.  Expecting  a  visit  of  one  Mf  Kennedy  an 
Edinburgher,  a  Cooper  now  in  Fredericksburgh,  I  this  day  sent  to  Toun 
for  a  Quart  of  the  Best  Vestindia  Rum  which  cost  me  Eighteen  pence  Vir- 
ginia Currancy. 

Wednesday,  ijih.  This  evening  entred  to  school  Thomas  Brooks 
Mr  Spotswoods'  carpenter  in  order  to  learn  Writing  and  Arithmetick  at 
nights  and  on  Sundays.^ 

Freiday,  jgfh.  This  day  at  noon  Col!  Will""  Daingerfield  finished 
his  wheat  harvest  by  getting  the  last  of  it  brought  home  and  stacked. 

Sunday,  21st.     At  home  teaching  Brooks.      Nothing  remarcable. 

Munday,  22d.  This  afternoon  Coll  Daingerfield  begun  to  sow  wheat 
again  for  the  next  )'ears  crope.  They  sow  their  wheat  here  in  the  field 
where  there  Indian  Corn  is  growing  and  plough  it  into  the  ground,  so  that 
the  Corn  and  wheat  both  Occopy  the  ground  from  this  date  untill  Jan- 
uary next  and  then  the  Corn  is  cut  down. 

Tuesday,  2jd.  This  day  at  noon  was  finished  at  one  of  Col!  Dain- 
gerfields  Barns  a  new  Machine  for  beating  out  of  wheat,  it  is  a  circle  of 
60  feet  diameter  in  the  center  of  which  their  is  a  paul  [pole  ?]  fixed  in 
the  ground  from  which  there  goes  three  beams  that  reach  the  outer  edge 
of  the  great  circle  and  betwixt  the  outer  ends  of  them  are  fixed  four 
rollers,  each  roller  having  320  spokes  in  it,  they  are  6  feet  long,  viz!  the 
rollers,  and  goes  round  upon  a  floor  of  3  Inch  plank  of  7  feet  long  from 
the  outer  edge  of  the  great  circle  and  round  the  outer  ends  of  the  floor 
plank  there  is  a  thin  plank  upon  it's  edge  and  round  the  inner  edge  the 
same  which  keeps  in  the  wheat,  the  Machine  is  drawn  round  by  4  Horses 
and  beats  out  100  Bushels  of  wheat  every  day.     It  was  begun  i"  instant. 

Sunday,  28th.     At  home  all  day  teaching  Brooks. 

Sunday,  September  nth.  D°  teaching  Brooks,  at  i  pm  came  M."  Ken- 
nedy from  Fredericksburgh  here  to  see  me  and  after  we  had  dined  we 
ended  the  Quart  of  Rum  I  Bought  16'!"  Last  M:\ 

Tuesday,  October  ^th.  \Vent  to  Fredericksb?  and  seed  a  Horse  Race 
for  a  Hundred  Guineas,  Gained  by  Mf  Fitchews  Horse.' 

'  Presumably  Alexander  Spotswood  of  Newport,  afterward  brigadier-general ;  grand- 
son of  the  famous  governor. 

2  Mill's  Diary  shows,  passim,  how  a  Shetland  minister  of  that  day  regarded  the 
' '  Sabbath ' ' ;  but  it  also  shows  that  he  could  not  induce  all  the  islanders  to  observe  it 
with  the  same  strictness. 

'Sporting  readers,  if  there  are  such  among  the  votaries  of  history,  will  find  the  de- 
tails of  these  days'  races,  derived  from  the  pages  of  the  Virginia  Gazette,  in  Mr.  \V.  G. 
Stanard's  article  already  referred  to,  on  Racing  in  Colonial  Virginia,   Virginia  Maga- 


Diary  of  John  Harrozuer  8/ 

IVednesday,  jfh.  This  day  a  Horse  race  at  Fredericksburg  for  Fifty- 
pound,  and  it  was  gain'd  by  a  Horse  belonging  to  Col!  Tailo.' 

Thursday,  6th.  This  day  a  Horse  race  at  Fredericksburg  for  Fifty 
pound,  and  it  was  gained  by  a  Horse  belonging  to  My  Fitchew. 

Freiday,  -jth.  The  race  this  day  at  Fredericksburg  for  Fifty  pound 
was  gained  again  by  another  Horse  belonging  to  Mf  Fitchew. 

Saturday,  8th.  This  day  the  races  at  Fredericksburg  was  finished 
and  this  night  finishes  the  Puppet  shows,  roape  dancings  &c,  which  has 
continowed  every  night  this  week  in  town.  I  only  seed  the  purse  of  a 
Hundred  Guineas  run  for,  and  that  day  I  hade  the  Misfortune  to  have 
my  Horse,  saddle  and  bridle  stole  from  me,  while  I  was  doing  some 
business  in  town.  And  I  never  could  hear,  nor  get  any  intelligence  of 
either  of  them  again. 

Sunday,  2jd.  At  church  but  there  was  no  sermon  only  prayers.  This 
day  I  carried  home  a  Westcoat  with  a  silver  sprig  through  a  strip'd  white 
satine  and  Padasoy  silk,  which  I  had  formerly  bought  made  as  it  was  being 
nothing  worse  than  new  for  8/6  Virginia  Currancy,  and  a  Brass  Inkholder 
with  a  penknife  in  it  bought  at  i/6  C'.- 

Muiiday,  jist.  This  morning  two  Carpenters  was  put  to  new  weather 
board  my  house  on  the  outside  with  featherage  plank,  and  to  new  plaster 
it  on  the  Inside  with  shell  lime. 

Tuesday,  November  ist.  This  day  Col!  William  Daingerfield  finished 
sowing  his  Wheat,  having  sown  in  all  this  year  \6o\  bushels.  This  day 
I  eat  extream  good  green  Pease  they  being  the  second  croap  this  season. 
In  the  afternoon  they  began  to  gather  new  corn  and  bro!  home  8  Ba".'  at 
night  from  looo  Corn  hills. 

Sunday,  2jth.  This  day  at  Church  and  heard  Sermon  by  Mr.  Muree' 
his  text  was  in  Hebrews  13'."  Chap  :  and  18'!'  verse.  Bought  a  hanging 
lock  for  my  Chest  at  7^-  Currancy. 

Rec!"  from  Colonel  Daingerfield  New  Coat  and  veastcoat  of  Claret 
couler'd  Duffel. 

Tuesday,  December  6th.     Wrote  home. — 3d  Letter  from  Virginia. 


zinc,  II.  293-305.  The  first  day's  race,  "  Jockey  Club  Plate,"  lOO  guineas,  open  to 
members  only,  was  won  by  \Vm.  Fitzhugh's  Regulus,  beating  Alexander  Spotswood's 
Eclipse,  Mann  Page's  Damon,  Wm.  Brent's  Figure,  Wm.  Fitzhugh's  Master  Stephen, 
and  Moore  Fauntleroy's  Faithful  Shepherdess.  On  the  second  day,  a  purse  of  £  50, 
4  mile  heats,  was  won  by  John  Tayloe's  Single  Peeper.  On  the  third  day  the  "  Town 
Purse,'"  4  mile  heats,  was  won  by  Wm.  Fitzhugh's  Kitty  Fisher.  On  the  fourth 
day  the  "Town  and  Country  Purse,"  4  mile  heats,  was  won  by  William  Fitzhugh's 
Volunteer.  These  were  the  last  of  the  great  races  at  Fredericksburg.  The  Revolution 
was  impending,  and  there  was  a  general  sentiment  to  the  effect  that  racing  should  stop. 

1  Col.  John  Tayloe  of  Mt.  Airy  in  Richmond  County.     See  American  Historical 
Review,  V.  307. 

2  Currency. 

3  Rev.  James  Marye  was  rector  of  St.  George's  Parish  from  1767  to  1780.     He  was 
the  son  of  Rev.  James  Marye,  the  former  rector,  a  Huguenot  refugee. 


88  Documents 

Belvidera  6'!'  Dec'  i774- 

My  Dearest  Life, 

Since  my  aravil  here  1  wrote  you  14'!' 
June  and  7'!'  Aug!  last  to  both  which  I  shall  partly  refer  you.  I  now  rite 
you  with  a  shaking  hand  and  a  feeling  heart  to  enqair  of  your  and  my 
Df  Infants  welfare,  this  being  the  return  of  the  day  of  the  year  on  which 
I  was  obliged  to  leave  you  and  my  D'  Infants  early  in  the  morning  which 
day  will  be  ever  remembred  by  me  with  tears  untill  it  shall  please  God 
to  grant  us  all  a  happy  meeting  again.  I  trust  in  the  mercies  of  a  good 
God  this  will  find  you  and  my  D'  Infants  in  perfect  health  as  I  am  and 
have  been  ever  since  I  came  here,  for  neither  the  heat  in  summer  nor 
what  I  have  as  yet  felt  of  the  cold  in  winter  gives  me  the  least  uneasiness 
I  thank  God  for  it.  About  20  days  ago  I  only  laid  aside  my  summer 
dress,  and  put  on  a  suit  of  new  Claret  Coulerd  Duffle  neatly  mounted  but 
no  lyning  in  the  Coat  only  faced  in  the  breasts.  I  wrote  you  in  my  first 
letter,  that  I  was  designed  Please  God  to  prepare  a  way  for  you  and  my 
Infants  in  this  Country  ;  And  I  begg  youU  give  me  your  thoughts  fully 
upon  it,  in  your  first  letter  after  receipt  of  this  with  respect  to  your 
moving  here.  If  you  do  your  method  must  be  thus  ;  Take  your  Passage 
to  Leith,  from  thence  go  to  Glasgow  and  from  that  to  Greenock  where 
you  will  ship  for  this  country.  But  this  you  are  not  to  attemp  untill  I 
have  your  thoughts  upon  it  and  I  send  you  a  recomendation  to  a  Merch' 
in  Glasgow  and  cash  to  bear  your  expences.  I  have  as  yet  only  ten 
scollars  One  of  which  is  both  Deaff  and  Dumb  and  his  Father  pays  me 
ten  shilling  per  Quarter  for  him  he  has  been  now  five  M?  with  [me]  and 
I  have  brought  him  tolerably  well  and  understands  it  so  far,  that  he  can 
write  mostly  for  anything  he  wants  and  understands  the  value  of  every 
figure  and  can  work  single  addition  a  little,  he  is  about  fourteen  years 
of  age.'  Another  of  them  is  a  young  man  a  house  Carpenter  who  attends 
me  every  night  with  candle  light  and  every  Sunday  that  I  don't  go  to 
Church  for  which  he  pays  me  fourty  shillings  a  year.  He  is  Carpenter  for 
a  gentleman  who  lives  two  miles  from  me  and  has  Thirty  pound  a  year, 
free  bedd  and  boatd. 

The  Col'"  Children  comes  on  pretty  well,  the  Eldest  is  now  reading 
verry  distinctly  in  the  Psalter  according  to  the  Church  of  England  and  the 
other  two  boys  ready  to  enter  into  it ;  the  Coll  and  his  Lady  being  ex- 
treamly  well  satisfied  w!  my  Conduct  in  every  respect ;  On  31st  Jully  last 
M"  Daingerfield  was  deliv!  of  a  fourth  son  who  is  now  my  nameson.  I  am 
now  verry  impatient  to  hear  from  you  and  I  [beg]  of  you  not  to  slip  a 
Packqut  without  writting  me.  Accord  to  the  directions  I  formerly  sent 
you  which  I  shall  again  repeat  in  this  for  fear  of  my  former  letters  being 
miscarried  which  I  hope  not ;  The  next  time  [I]  write  you  I  hope  to  be 
able  to  make  you  a  small  remittance. 

'The  entries  under  March  iS  and  May  20,  1775,  seem  to  indicate  that  the  experi- 
periment  did  not  proceed  beyond  tlie  date  of  thi.s  letter. 


Diary  of  Jolm  Harrowcr  89 

I  would  have  at  this  time  wrote  your  Brother  M'  Craigie,'  for  I  truely 
belive  his  private  good  wishes  to  me  was  always  sinceer,  But  I  want  to 
hear  from  you  first  by  which  I  hope  to  learn  how  every  one's  pulse  in 
your  place  beats  towards  me  and  his  among  the  rest,  which  I  hope  you'll 
not  fail  to  take  notice  of. — I  now  as  far  as  my  sheet  of  paper  will  allow 
me,  for  your  Amusements  and  information,  shall  write  you  some  of  the 
news  of  this  Western  World,  and  first  with  respect  to  myself  Know  that 
I  have  not  drunk  a  dish  of  Tea  this  six  M°'  past,  nor  have  I  drunk  a  dram 
of  plain  spirits  this  seven  M"  past,  nor  have  I  tasted  broth  or  any  kind 
of  supping  mate  for  the  above  time  unless  three  or  four  times  some  soup  ; 
Notwithstanding  I  want  for  nothing  that  I  cou'd  desire,  and  am  only 
affraid  of  getting  fatt,  tho  we  seldom  eat  here  but  twice  a  day.  for 
Breackfast  we  have  always  Coffie  with  plenty  of  warm  loaf  bread  and  fine 
butter,  at  12  oClock  when  I  leave  school,  I  have  as  much  good  rum 
toddie  as  I  chuse  to  drink,  and  for  Dinner  we  have  plenty  of  roast  and 
boyld  and  good  strong  beer,  but  seldom  eat  any  supper.  There  has  been 
a  hote  War  here  this  last  summer  betwixt  the  fronteer  Countys  of  this 
Collony  and  the  united  tribes  of  the  Shawaneses,  Delevvars,  Mingoes  and 
Tawa  Indians  settled  on  the  otherside  of  the  Banks  of  the  Ohio.  On  Mun- 
day  morning  lo'l'  Oct'  last  a  Deccisive  Battle  was  fought  at  the  mouth  of 
the  great  Canhawa"  Betwixt  15°  of  Augusta  County  troops  under  the  Com- 
mand of  Col'  Cha'  Lewis  800  of  the  troops  belonging  to  Botitourt,  Bedford 
and  Fincastle  County,  under  the  Command  of  Coll  Fleming  and  Col'  Field ; 
The  Battle  began  half  an  hour  after  sun  up  and  continowed  verry  hot  until 
after  noon,  when  the  above  Indians  being  above  800  in  number  were 
put  to  flight.  In  this  Action  were  killed  the  above  Col!  Cha!  Lewis  and 
Coll  Field,  Four  Captains  three  subalterns  and  44  private  men.  Col. 
Fleming  was  wounded  three  Captains  four  subalterns  and  79  private 
men.  The  same  evening  after  the  Battle  an  express  aravied  at  the  Camp 
from  Lord  John  Dunmore  Governour  of  Virginia  for  this  Division  of  the 
Army  to  Joyne  him,  he  being  then  75  Miles  further  up  the  Ohio  on  the 
Indian  side  with  600  more  of  the  troops  belonging  to  the  foresaid  Coun- 
tys, he  then  knowing  nothing  of  the  Battle.  Next  day  this  part  of  the 
Army  decamp'd  and  when  they  hade  Joyn'd  His  Lod'?  All  the  Army 
march'd  foreward  in  order  to  Burn  and  destroy  the  whole  Indian  Touns  ; 
But  when  they  were  within  three  Miles  of  them,  The  Indians  came  out 
naked  as  they  were  born  and  Begged  for  Mercy  and  peace,  they  having 
lost  above  double  the  immber  of  men  that  we  did  in  the  late  engage- 
ment. Accordingly  peace  was  granted  them  on  the  following  terms  Vizi 
i"  They  are  to  deliver  up  all  the  white  prisoners  they  have,  next  they  are 
to  deliver  up  somany  of  their  principall  men  of  each  nation,  to  be  keept 
as  hostages  for  their  good  behavour  in  time  to  come,  lastly  they  are  to 

•  Mrs.  Harrower's  brother,  Captain  James  Craigie,  to  whom  a  letter  printed  later  is 
addressed,  was  a  leading  merchant  of  Lerwick.  In  the  "  Annals  of  the  County  of  Zet- 
land," referred  to  in  the  introduction,  supra,  he  appears  as  appointed  in  1763  to  be  over- 
seer and  superintendent  of  the  building  of  the  new  tolboolh.  In  1 766,  however,  he  is 
permitted  to  resign,  his  health  having  recently  become  impaired. 

^  The  celebrated  battle  of  Point  Pleasant. 


90  Documents 

pay  the  whole  expence  of  the  war  in  land  at  three  pound  per  M  Acres. 
So  much  for  Indian  news. 

You  no  doubt  have  heard  of  the  present  disturb!  Betwixt  Great  Brit- 
ain and  the  Collonys  in  N.  America,  Owing  to  severall  Acts  of  Parliment 
latly  made  greatly  infringing  the  rights  and  Liberties  of  the  Americans, 
and  in  order  to  enforce  these  Acts,  The  Harbour  and  Toun  of  Boston  are 
at  present  blockt  up  by  a  fleet  and  armie  under  the  Command  of  Gen'. 
Gage.  The  Americans  are  determined  to  Act  with  Caution  and  prudence 
in  this  affair,  and  at  same  time  are  resolved  not  to  lose  an  inch  of  their 
rights  or  liberties,  nor  to  submit  to  these  Acts.  And  in  order  to  enforce 
a  repeal  of  them,  A  Generall  Congress  was  held  at  Philadelphia  by  Dele- 
gates from  the  following  Provinces  Viz!  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts 
Bay,  Rode  Island  and  Providence  Plantations,  Connicticut,  New  York, 
New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  The  Countys  of  Newcastle,  Kent,  and  Sussex 
on  Delewar,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  and  South  Carolina. 
The  Delegates  were  chosen  from  the  Houses  of  Burges  of  each  of  the 
above  Collonys  and  met  on  the  5"'  Sept!  last  and  continued  sitting  untill 
the  last  of  Octr  And  it  is  resolved  that  they  will  allow  no  goods  to  be  im- 
ported into  America  from  Great  Britain,  Ireland,  or  any  of  the  Islands 
thereto  belonging  a"  the  i'.'  Ins'  Nor  will  they  export  from  America  to 
Great  Britain  or  Ireland  or  any  of  the  Islands  thereto  belonging  any 
goods  after  the  i!'  Decf  1775  during  which  time  any  that  are  indebted  to 
Great  Britain  may  pay  up  their  ballances.  Ma[n]y  and  pretty  are  the  re- 
solves of  August  Assembly,  but  room  wou'd  fail  me  here  to  insert  them. 
By  the  Congress  the  Bostonians  are  desired  not  to  leave  the  Toun  nor  to 
give  any  offence  to  Gen!  Gage  or  the  troops  under  his  Command,  But  if 
he  or  they  offers  to  commit  the  least  Hostielyties  in  order  to  enforce  any 
to  the  Obedience  of  these  Acts,  they  are  to  repel  force  by  force  and  the 
Bostonians  can  raise  in  their  Collony  in  24  Hours  warning  ods  of  60  M 
men  well  disiplined  and  all  readdy  provided  w!  arms  and  amunition.  And 
the  resolves  of  the  Congress  every  one  of  the  above  Collonys  and  each 
man  in  every  Collony  are  determined  to  abide  by.  And  it  is  my  oppin- 
ion  that  the  laboring  part  and  poor  of  Boston  are  as  well  supplied  at 
present  by  controbutions  sent  free  to  them  from  the  other  Collonys  as 
when  their  trade  was  oppen.  M!  Daingerfield  this  year  for  his  own 
hand  gives  them  fifty  Bushels  of  wheat  and  One  Hundred  Bushels  of  In- 
dian Corn,  By  which  ye  may  Judge  of  the  rest.' 

The  19"'  August  last,  M!  Daingerfield  finished  his  wheat  hearvest  and 
began  to  plow  and  sow  wheat  again  for  the  next  crop  22  said  M°  and 
after  sowing  260  Bushels  finished  it  the  i'.'  of  Nov!,  they  are  now  gath- 
ering Indian  Corn  of  which  he  will  have  better  than  4000  bushels  3000 
of  which  he  will  Use  for  his  Nigers  and  horses,  the  rest  for  sale  ;  so  much 
for  American  and  Plantation  news  the  Veracity  of  which  you  may  depend 
upon  and  may  show  the  same  to  any  of  your  freinds  or  well  wishers. 

1  There  is  on  record  at  the  Virginia  State  Library  a  list  of  contributors  to',this  supply 
of  the  Bostonians.  It  embraces  the  names  of  many  well-known  men  of  the  day,  and  the 
gifts  range  from  one  barrel  of  com  up. 


Diary  of  John  Harrower  9 1 

Your  directions  for  me  is  to  Jn°  Harrower  at  the  seat  of  Col!  Will"' 
Daingerfield  Esqf  of  Belvidera  near  Fredericksburgh  Rappahannock  River 
Virginia,  and  then  inclose  it  in  a  letter  to  Mess';  Anderson  and  Horse- 
burgh  Merch?  in  Glasgow  and  desire  them  to  foreward  the  same  under 
Cover  to  M.'  John  Glassel  Mer!  in  Fredericksb^  their  Correspondent  who 
will  pay  all  charges  for  my  acco'. . — -Pray  my  Dearest  let  me  know  what  my 
D'  Boys  and  Girle  are  doing.  I  hope  Jock  '  and  George  are  still  at  school 
and  I  begg  of  you  to  strain  every  nerve  to  keep  them  at  it  untill  I  am 
able  to  assist  you,  for  he  who  has  got  education  will  always  gain  Bread 
and  to  spare,  and  that  in  a  genteel  way  in  some  place  or  other  of  the 
World.  I  supose  Betts  is  at  home  with  yourself,  but  pray  keep  her  tight 
to  her  seam  and  stockin  and  any  other  Housold  affairs  that  her  years  are 
capable  of  and  do  not  bring  her  up  to  Idleness  or  play  or  going  about  from 
house  to  house  which  is  the  first  inlet  in  any  of  the  sex  to  laziness  and 
vice.  Send  me  an  Acco '  of  their  Ages  from  the  Bible  which  ye  may  do 
verry  short  by  saying  Jo  :   Born day  Nov.  1762  Geo  :   Born  &'." 

1  yet  hope  please  God,  if  I  am  spared,  some  time  to  make  you  a 
Virginian  Lady  among  the  woods  of  America  which  is  by  far  more  pleas- 
ent  than  the  roaring  of  the  raging  seas  round  abo't  Zetland,  And  yet  to 
make  you  eat  more  wheat  Bread  in  your  old  age  than  what  you  have  done 
in  your  Youth.  But  this  I  must  do  by  carefuUness,  industry  and  a  Close 
Application  to  Business,  which  ye  may  take  notice  of  in  this  letter  I  am 
doing  Sunday  as  well  as  Saturday  nor  will  I  slip  an  honest  method  nor 
an  hour  whereby  I  can  gain  a  penny  for  yours  and  my  own  advantage. 

There  grows  here  plenty  of  extream  fine  Cotton  which  after  being 
pict  clean  and  readdy  for  the  cards  is  sold  at  a  shilling  the  pound  ;  and  I 
have  at  this  time  a  great  high  Girl  Carline  as  Black  as  the  .  .  .  spinning 
some  for  me  for  which  I  must  pay  her  three  shillings  the  pound  for  spin- 
ning it  for  she  must  do  it  on  nights  or  on  Sunday  for  any  thing  I  know 
notwithstanding  she's  the  Millers  wife  on  the  next  plantation.  But  Im 
determined  to  have  a  webb  of  Cotton  Cloath  According  to  my  own  mind, 
of  which  I  hope  you  and  my  infants  shall  yet  wear  apart ;  I  cou'd  write 
to  you  for  a  week  for  it  gives  me  pleaser  while  I  am  writting  to  you.  But 
as  room  fails  me  I  must  conclude  with  offering  my  good  wishes  to  your 
Broth';,  W.  and  M'."  Vance,  ^  Mf  and  M'."  Forbes 'and  Mr  Ferguson*  if 
deserving  at  your  hand  with  my  Comp'.'  to  all  who  asks  for  me.    And  my 

'  In  iSlo  a  J.  Harrower,  Caledonia  Lodge  of  Masons,  Edinburgh,  affiliated  at  Lodge 
Morton,  Lerwick,  and  he  was  appointed  Proxy  Master  of  the  latter  in  1815.  This  may 
have  been  our  Harrower' s  son. 

2  James  Vance  seems  to  liave  been  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  most  esteemed  men 
in  Lerwick.  He  was  land-waiter  and  postmaster  for  the  government,  and  the  kirk  ses- 
sions records  show  him  as  precentor,  and  afterward  as  session  clerk,  kirk  treasurer  and 
elder.  He  was  warmly  interested  in  the  promotion  of  education  and  other  good  works. 
His  wife  was  Barbara  Craigie,  sister  of  Mrs.  Harrower,  and  of  Captain  James  Craigie. 

3  See  note  2,  on  p.  84,  supra. 

'William  Ferguson  was  married  to  Ann  Ross,  sister  of  Margaret  Ross,  wife  of 
James  Craigie.  He  was  supervisor  of  excise  at  Lerwick,  and  was  a  native  of  Thurso  in 
Caithness. 


92  Documents 

sinceer  prayers  to  God  for  you  and  my  D!  Children  and  beliye  me  to  be 
ever  while  I  have  breath,  My  Dearest  Jewell,  your  Aff '?  husb'!  till  death. 
Signed  J.  H.  Addressed  To  M'."  John  Harrower  in  Lerwick  Zetland  By 
Edinburgh,  North  Britain. 

Saturday,  loth.  This  day  after  12  Oclock  rode  to  Town  and  deliv* 
my  letter  dated  6'.''  Ins!  to  M'  John  Glassell  to  be  forewarded  to  Britain 
per  first  ship.  Bought  i  PadLock  at  1/  Curr)  and  i  Doz"  Vest  buttons 
silver  plated  at  1/  Curr!  and  pocket  expence  9'.'  Currf . 

IVi'dnesday,  14th.  This  day  My  Daingerfield  hade  35  Hoggs  Killed 
weighting  at  an  average  about  150  lb.  and  they  are  to  serve  for  salt 
Beacon  untill  the  return  of  next  year  this  time,  all  the  Hams  and 
Shoulders  are  cured  with  salt  peter.      Sold  \  doz?  horn  Buttons  at  3^ . 

Tuesday,  20th.  last  night  I  dreamt  that  my  wife  came  to  me  here, 
and  told  me  she  had  sent  Johnnie  and  Bettie  to  Deall '  to  stay  and  left 
George  in  the  house  with  M.  J.  the  servant. 

Sunday,  2^th.  Christmas  day,  stayed  at  home  all  day  along  w!  the 
Overseer  and  Childreen  because  I  hade  no  saddle  to  go  to  the  Church 
with.  In  the  morning  the  Col'  Ordred  up  to  school  two  Bottles  of  the 
best  Rum  and  some  suggar  for  me. 

Munday,  26th.  This  forenoon  the  Coll  wou'd  have  me  to  take  his 
saddle  and  ride  to  Toun  and  Amuse  myself,  and  when  I  was  going  gave 
me  Six  Shillings  for  pocket  money.  I  went  to  Toun  and  Dined  in  a  pri- 
vate house  and  after  buying  i^  Doz°  Mother  of  Pearle  buttons  for  my 
white  morsyld  Vest  I  return' d  home  in  the  evening. 

Tuesday,  2jth.  St.  Johns  day.  This  day^  a  Grand  Lodge  in  Toun, 
And  the  whole  went  to  Church  in  their  Clothing  and  heard  sermon. 

Thursday,  2gth.      I  began  to  keep  school. 

Frciday,  joth.  This  day  there  was  severall  Gentlemen  from  Fred- 
ericksburgh  here  at  Dinner  with  whom  I  dined. 

Tuesday,  January  joth,  1775.  This  day  Thof  Brooks  who  has  at- 
tend] ed  ever  night  and  on  Sundays  left  school  being  obliged  to  go  40 
miles  up  the  country  to  work,  at  same  time  he  gave  me  an  order  on 
Coll  Daingerfield  for  £,\.  10.  S.  Curr'' of  which  p^i.  5.  2  was  for  teach- 
ing him. 

Saturday,  21st.  Some  time  ago  I  having  got  a  present  of  piece  of 
Lead  coul'?  Cloath  from  Miss  Lucy  Gaines'  I  got  made  in  a  Vest  by  Kid- 
beck  the  Taylor  for  which  I  have  this  day  paid  him  3/  i^  Cur-T. 

Sunday,  22nd.  This  day  at  Church  in  Town  and  heard  Mr  Maree 
preach  Text  2^  Corf  4  Chap:   and  18'!'  Verse. 

Tuesday,  31st.  i  pm  yesterday  Ja~  and  W."  Porters,  sons  of  M' 
William  Porter  Merch!  in  Fredericksb^  came  here  to  School. 

Tuesday,  Februaty  14th.  This  day  the  Col!  on  finding  more  wheat 
left  among  the  straw  then  should  be  blamed  M!  Lev/is  the  Overseer  for 

1  A  village  on  the  mainland  of  Scotland,  in  Caithness,  about  ten  miles  south  of 
Thurso.     Harrower  may  have  come  fi-om  there  or  had  relatives  living  there. 

2  Always  a  day  of  especial  festivity  at  Fredericksburg,  ending  in  a  ball  at  the  Sun 
Rise  tavern. 

'The  housekeeper. 


Diai-y  of  Jolin  Hari'ozver  93 

his  carelessness,  upon  which  Mr  Lewis  seem'd  verry  much  enraged  for 
being  spoke  to  and  verry  sawcily  threw  up  all  the  keys  he  hade  in  charge 
and  went  off;  upon  which  the  Col!  sent  for  me  and  delivered  me  the 
keys  of  the  Barn  and  begged  I  would  assist  him  in  his  business  untill  he 
got  another  Overseer. 

[  ]\'ednesdaf\ ,  ijth.  This  morning  the  Col'  sent  to  scholl  for  me,  and 
begg'd  me  to  go  to  Snowcreek  Barn  and  deliver  the  wheat  that  was 
there  first  to  the  Vessel  who  was  come  to  receive  the  whole  of  it.  She 
was  a  schooner  of  120  Tun  M"  name  Jn"  Lurtey. 

Tuesday,  21st.  Empl?  as  Yesterday.  This  day  the  Col!  engaged  a 
young  man  for  an  Overseer  Whose  name  is  Anthony  Fraser. 

Thursday,  2jd.  This  day  finised  trading  out  wheat,  also  deliv;"  the 
last  of  it  having  delivered  One  thousand  five  hundred  Bushels  and  240 
Bushels  formerly  deliv!'  by  M^  Lewis  which  with  260  Bushels  sown  makes 
2000  Bushels  besides  serving  the  Famely  and  some  bushels  sold  to  people 
who  works  on  the  plantation. 

Munday,  2'/th.  This  day  M'  Fraser  came  here  and  entred  to  take  his 
charge  as  Overseer,  and  he  is  to  have  his  bed  in  the  school  along  with  me. 
he  appears  to  be  a  verry  quiet  young  man  and  has  hade  a  tolerable  edu- 
cation,    his  Grandfather  came  from  Scotland. 

Saturday,  March  i8th.     Last  night  a  verry  keen  frost  so  that  all  the 
fruit  that  is  blossom'd  is  in  danger  of  being  killed  by  it.      Same  day  I 
wrote  M'  Samuel  Edge  the  following  letter  Viz.' 
Sir 

When  I  hade  the  pleasure  of  seeing  [you]  on  the  4'!"  Febf  last  at  your 
howse  you  then  told  me  you  was  to  be  in  Town  the  week  after,  and  pro- 
posed calling  here  in  your  way  home,  in  order  to  pay  me  the  twenty 
shillings  as  agreed  on ;  but  since  have  heard  nothing  from  you.  Nothing 
but  the  real  necessity  for  some  books  (which  I  greatly  want)  Oblidges 
me  now  to  trouble  you  with  this,  hopping  if  it  is  any  ways  convenient  for 
you,  that  you  will  send  the  cash  per  the  bearer  ( and  if  required)  how  soon 
time  will  permit  me  to  see  you  shall  give  you  an  ample  discharge.  My 
compliments  to  yourself  M?  Edge  and  Miss  Sally  and  am  ife'." 

Saturday,  2^th.  At  noon  went  to  Newport  to  see  M'  Martin 
Heely  schoolmaster  to  M.'  Spotswood's  Children,  and  after  Dinner  I 
spent  the  afternoon  with  him  in  conversation  and  hearing  him  play  the 
Fiddle.  He  also  made  a  Niger  come  and  play  on  an  Instrument  call'd  a 
Barrafou.  The  body  of  it  is  an  oblong  box  with  the  mouth  up  and 
stands  on  four  sticks  put  in  bottom,  and  cross  the  [top]  is  laid  1 1  lose 
sticks  upon  [which]  he  beats. 

Sunday,  26th.  9  AM  Set  out  on  horseback  for  Mount  Church '  in 
Caroline  County  in  Company  with  M'  Richards,  M™  Richards,  M'  Mar- 
tin Heely,  M'  Anthony  Frazer  and  Miss  Lucy  Gaines.  And  heard  M'. 
Waugh  preach  his  text  being  the  i'.'  V.  of  the  12'!'  Chapter  of  Ecclesias- 

'  For  Mount  Church,  in  St.  Mary's  parish,  see  Bishop  Meade's  Old  Churches, 
Ministers  and  Families  of  Virginia,  I.  410-412.  Rev.  Abner  Waugh  was  the  incum- 
bent of  the  parish,  having  recently  succeeded  the  more  famous  Rev.  Jonathan  Boucher. 


94  Documents 

tes.  After  which  we  all  returned  to  M!  Richards  before  3  pm  where  we 
dined  and  spent  the  afternoon.  From  Belvidera  to  Mount  Church  is  10 
Miles. 

Saturday,  April  ist.  At  6  pm  M!  Martin  Heely  schoolmaster  at 
Newport  for  M'  Spotswoods  Children  came  here  to  pay  me  a  Visite  and 
staid  with  me  all  night. 

SiniJay,  gth.  This  day  a  good  number  of  Company  dined  here 
among  which  was  Mr  and  M?  Porter  from  Town,  who  heard  their  eldest 
son  read  and  seemed  verry  well  pleased  with  his  performance  since  he 
came  to  me  ;   Myself  at  home  all  day. 

Frciiiay,  14th.  This  being  good  Freiday,  I  broke  up  school  for 
Easter  Holly  day,  and  the  Col'."  three  sons  went  to  Town  with  M'  Por- 
ter's two  sons  this  forenoon  I  went  a  money  hunting  but  catc'd  none. 

Saturday,  i^th.  This  forenoon  I  went  a  Money  Hunting  again  an 
other  way  but  hade  no  better  success  then  yesterday.  This  afternoon 
M!  Frazer  went  up  the  Country  to  see  his  Mother  and  friends,  and  I  give 
out  corn  for  him,  untill  he  returns  again. 

Maitday,  ijtli.  At  8  AM  I  rode  to  Town  in  order  to  see  the  boys 
and  Amuse  myself  fore  some  hours.  On  my  Aravel  in  Town  the  first  thing 
I  got  to  do  was  to  dictate  and  write  a  love  letter  from  M':  Anderson,  to 
one  Peggie  Dewar  at  the  Howse  of  Mr  John  Mitchel  at  the  Wilderness. 
After  that  I  went  to  M'  John  Glassell's  store  to  enquire  for  letters  from 
home  but  found  none  ;  here  I  mett  with  the  Coll  who  gave  me  two  pair 
brown  thread  stockins  for  my  summers  wear.  At  2  pm  I  dined  with  him 
in  M'  Porters,  and  soon  after  Returned  home. 

Thursday,  20th.  This  morning  all  the  boys  came  to  school  again  at 
their  Usual  hour.  On  tuesday  last  was  missed  out  of  the  pasture  a  breed- 
ing mare,  search  being  made  fore  her  by  the  Overseer  he  found  this 
afternoon  the  Neiger  fellow  who  hade  rode  her  off  and  after  riding  her 
about  24  Miles  from  the  Plantation  turned  her  loose  in  the  high  road,  he 
is  a  Blacksmith  by  trade  and  belongs  to  and  works  at  a  Plantation  of 
M.'  Corbins,'  and  after  he  had  confessed  the  fact  M'  Frazer  ower  Over- 
seer stript  him  to  the  [skin]  and  gave  him  39  laches  with  Hickry  switches 
that  being  the  highest  the  Law  allows  at  one  Wheeping. 

Munday,  24th.  This  morning  the  Coll  began  to  have  his  Indian 
Corn  planted  which  they  do  in  following  maner  Viz'  The  plowers 
plow  three  furrows  close  together  from  one  end  of  the  field  to  the  other, 
the  midle  furrow  of  each  three  being  6  feet  distance  from  the  middle  of 
the  ne.xt  three  and  so  on  from  the  one  side  of  the  field  to  the  other. 
Then  they  run  one  furrow  across  the  field  and  at  6  feet  distance  another 
and  so  on  in  streight  lines  from  the  one  end  of  the  field  to  the  other 
which  leaves  the  whole  field  like  a  dambrod^  then  the  Neigers  drop  the 
corn  in  every  square  and  at  the  same  time  with  a  strock  of  their  How  cover 
[them]  .  the  grown  betwixt  the  furrow  are  brocke  up  Afterw"*.'  at  Liesure 
with  the  Ploughs  without  any  Damage  to  the  come.  But  the  best  method 
is  when   the   ploughs   is  lay  off  the  ground   withe  one  furrow  a  Neiger 

'  To  whom  Harrower  was  afterward  overseer.  ^  Checker-board. 


Diary  of  John  Harroiver  95 

ought  to  follower  every  Plough  drop  the  corn  and  immediatly  cover  it 
up.  Some  are  now  done  planting  of  corn,  last  night  Mr.  Frazer  found 
the  Mare  that  was  rode  off  and  brought  her  home. 

Freiday,  28th.  This  day  by  an  express  from  Boston  we  are  informed 
of  an  engagement  betwixt  the  British  troops  and  the  Bostonians,  in  which 
the  former  were  repuls'd  with  loss,  but  no  particulars  as  yet. 

Saturday,  2gth.  This  day  there  was  at  Fredricksburgh  about  600  men 
under  Arms  composed  of  the  independant  companys  of  severall  Coun- 
ties, they  designed  to  have  Marched  to  Williamsburg  and  to  have  made 
the  Governor  deliver  back  some  poweder  he  caused  to  be  Clandestinlly 
carried  off,  but  was  prevented  by  an  express  from  the  speacker  with  ad- 
vice that  the  Governor  was  readdy  to  give  it  upon  ten  minutes  warning.' 

Wednesday,  May  3d.  This  day  the  Coll  bought  and  rec'^  ten  bush- 
els of  Span!  Salt  for  ten  bushels  Indian  Corn,  at  noon  the  Col'."  Nigers 
finised  planting  Indian  Corn  having  planted  about  300  Acres  of  land, 
which  took  about  25  Bushels  of  sead. 

Saturday,  6th.  This  afternoon  I  planted  41  hills  of  grownd  with 
Cotton  seed. 

Sunday,  jth.  At  2  houses  this  day  seeking  money  that  was  owing  me 
but  got  none. 

Mu7iday,  8th.  This  morning  I  planted  22  Hills  of  grownd  with 
Water  Mellon  and  Mush  Mellon  Seed.  This  afternoon  I  eat  ripe  straw- 
berries. 

Saturday,  20th.  This  day  I  wrote  the  following  letter  to  SamI  Edge 
for  Twenty  shillings  that  has  been  due  me  since  the  25"'  Nov'  1774. 

M'  Samuel  Edge 

Sir — I  wrote  you  18"'  March  last  requesting  you  then  to 
send  me  per  the  Bearer  then  sent,  the  twenty  shillings  you  are  indebted 
to  me,  which  money  you  promised  to  have  paid  a  Month  before  that 
time.  Notwithstanding  of  which  I  have  neither  seen  nor  heard  from 
you  since,  which  to  me  appear  some  what  Strange. 

On  Saturday  last  I  was  informed  you  intended  to  send  me  a  wild 
Goose  hunting  by  giving  me  a  Draught  on  another.  But  if  any  one  is 
owing  you  I  do  not  chuse  to  demand  the  debt ;  Therefore  I  hereby  aquant 
you  that  I  will  not  accept  a  draught  upon  none ;  Therefore  I  am  hope- 
full  you  will  now  send  the  money  by  the  bearer  hereof  as  I  really  have 
pressing  occassion  for  it  and  cannot  be  longer  without  it,  having  neither 
stock  nor  store  here  to  receive  money  \v\\.\y  to  purchase  what  I  really 
cannot  be  without,  your  complyance  to  the  above  will  greatly  oblige  and 
wherein  I  can  serve  you  may  freely  command  Sir  yours  &? 

Signed  J  H 
Addressed  To  Mr.  Samuel  Edge,  Overseer. 

This  afternoon  I  was  invited  to  a  Gentlemans  house  in  order  to  eat 
plenty  of  ripe  Cherries. 

'  See  Henry's /W/rA/' j%«;j,  I.  277-279;   .Sparks's  Waskiiigtoii,  II.  507-509. 


96  Documents 

Sunday,  2jst.  This  day  I  hade  sent  me  a  present  from  M"  Porter  in 
Fred?  two  silk  Vestcoats  and  two  pair  cotton  britches  all  of  them  having 
been  but  verry  little  wore  by  M'  Porter. 

Saturday,  2/(/i.  This  afternoon  I  rode  to  Town  and  bought  at 
Mr  Porters  Store  2  handkerchiefs  and  one  Yd  Bedd  Tyke'  at  2/2  d  Curr^ 
being  all  5/2d.  Currr.  At  same  time  reel'  a  letter  from  my  Wife  dated 
i'.'  March  1775.  It  came  under  cover  to  Mf  John  Glassell  Merch.' in 
Toun  and  cost  me  i/3d  Curr?.  At  same  time  rec'.'  from  Thof  Anderson 
a  pair  of  new  Shoes  on  the  Col'.'  Acco'. 

Saturday,  June  3d.  At  9  AM  Mf  Porter's  two  son's  was  sent  for  and 
they  went  to  Toun  to  keep  Whitsuntide  hoUiday. 

Wednesday,  jth.     Began  to  keep  school  again. 

Freiday,  i6th.  This  day  at  9  AM  Col'.'  Daingerfield  set  out  for  his 
Q.''  down  the  Country  at  Chickahommanie  to  receive  his  Cash  for  the  last 
years  produce  of  said  plantation  from  John  Miller  his  Overseer  there. 

Sunday,  i8th.  This  day  at  10  AM  went  to  John  Battle's  and 
rec^  6/  for  teaching  his  William  i  of  a  year  and  from  [thence]  to 
Thomas  Evans's  and  rec;"  20/  for  teaching  his  Daught.'  Sarah  for  One 
Year. 

Saturday,  July  ist.  At  noon  I  went  to  Frederick':  and  bought  15 
bigg  Double  Guilt  buttons  at  4/9  One  hank  silk  twist  at  1/  and  one 
ounce  brown  thread  at  6d.  my  pocket  expence  this  day  i/.  I  returned 
home  an  houre  before  sun  down. 

Freiday,  jfh.  This  day  at  sunset  Col'^  Daingerfield  finished  cutting 
down  260  Bushels  sowing  of  wheat  in  fifteen  days  with  seven  Cradlers 
and  it  was  done  in  6  days  less  time  than  203  bushels  sowing  was  last 
Harvest  and  with  fewer  hands.  For  this  Harvest  his  money  payments 
to  Out  labourers  is  reduced  no  less  than  jQi?,.^.  6d.  lower  than  it  was 
last  and  at  same  time  the  Wheat  better  put  up  all  which  is  chiefly  owing 
to  the  Activity  of  Anthony  Frazer  the  present  Overseer. 

Saturday  8th.  This  nioring  began  to  bring  Wheat  to  the  Barn  with 
two  Carts  Si.x  O.xen  in  the  One  and  three  Horses  in  the  Other. 

Sunday,  i6th.  This  day  I  went  to  Church  in  Toun  and  heard  ser- 
mon preached  by  one  Mf  Murray  his  text  was  Math  :  6'.*'  and  24'^'  V.  I 
was  no  pocket  expence  this  day. 

Wednesday,  igfh.  This  day  I  was  Informed  that  M'.'  Daingerfield 
hade  made  a  Complaint  upon  me  to  the  Col"  for  not  waiting  after  Breack- 
fast  and  dinner  (sometimes)  in  order  to  take  the  Children  along  with  me 
to  schoU  ;  I  imagine  she  has  a  grudge  against  me  since  the  middle  of 
Feb'  last  the  reason  was,  that  one  night  in  the  Nursery  I  wheep'd  Billie 
for  crying  for  nothing  and  she  came  in  and  carried  him  out  from  me. 
Some  nights  after  he  got  into  the  same  humour  and  his  Papa  The  Col? 
hearing  him  call'd  me  and  Asked  why  I  cou'd  hear  him  do  so  and  not 
correct  him  for  it ;  Upon  that  I  told  him  how  M'."  Daingerfield  had  be- 
haved when  I  did  correct  him.      At  that  he  was  angry  w'  her. 


Diary  of  Joint  Harrozvcr  97 

Saturday,  22d.  On  SaturdT  13  Ins!  some  words  happned  betwixt 
John  M'Dearmand  and  the  Col"  about  John's  not  being  expedecious 
enough  About  stacking  and  requiring  too  many  hands  to  attend  him 
upon  which  John  left  the  work  immedeatly  and  has  not  returned  since. 
And  by  the  Acco"  in  my  hands  I  find  the  Col?  is  in  Johns  debt  J^,().  10.9 
Virg"  Currancy. 

Sunday,  23d.  M"  Porter  having  been  here  all  night  from  Town  ; 
I  this  day  after  breackfast  brought  all  the  boys  with  their  books  into  the 
passage  to  the  Col°  who  heard  each  of  them  read  and  was  highly  pleased 
with  their  performance.  M?  Porter  likeways  told  that  her  sons  did  me 
great  honour  ;  as  well  as  the  rest. 

Wednesday,  26th.  This  day  at  noon  was  finished  the  bringing  hom 
and  stacking  the  Col"'  Wheat  having  18  Stacks  of  100  Bushels  each  by 
Computation  besides  a  Large  Barn  fill'd  up  to  the  roof.  It  was  brought 
home  this  year  in  15  days  less  time  than  it  was  last  year.  I  this  day  ate 
Watermelon  of  my  own  planting  it  being  the  first  I  ate  this  season. 

Wednesday ,  August  2d.  Yesterday  the  Col°  Began  to  Sow  Wheat  for 
the  ensewing  croop.  This  day  came  to  School  W"  John  and  Lucy  Pat- 
ties, and  are  to  pay  conform  to  the  time  they  Attend,  expecting  a  Visit 
of  M'  Kenedy  sent  to  Town  for  a  bottle  of  Vest  India  Rum  which  cost 
me  1/3  Currancy. 

Tuesday,  22d.  This  morning  the  Col°  began  to  trade  out  wheat  in 
the  Yard  with  horses  which  is  done  in  the  following  manner  Viz'.  They 
take  wheat  from  the  stack  and  spreads  it  about  eight  foot  broad  in  a  large 
circle,  and  with  as  many  horses  as  they  have  they  ride  upon  it  round  and 
round  and  3  or  4  men  keep  always  turning  and  stirring  it  up,  and  by  this 
method  they  with  10  or  12  horses  will  trade  out  100  Bushels  in  a  day. 
where  they  trade  Just  now  is  300  feet  Circumference. 

Munday,  28th.     Coppy  of  my  4th  Letter  wrote  this  day  to  my  wife. 

My  Dearest  Life 

Your  most  agreeable  favours  I  rec'':  27'!'  May  last,  which 
was  dated  i".'  March,  And  you  may  belive  me  it  gave  me  the  greatest 
satisfaction  I  have  hade  for  twelve  months  past  to  hear  from  your  own 
hand  that  you  my  Dearest  Jewell  and  my  sweet  Infants  are  and  has  been 
in  a  good  state  of  health  since  I  left  you,  As  I  still  am  and  has  been  for 
the  above  time,  For  which  we  have  all  great  reason  to  render  all  due 
praise  to  that  ever  Glorious  Being  who  wisely  governs  and  directs  all 
our  Acctions  ;  And  may  he  for  the  sake  of  him  who  suffered  on  the 
Cross  for  all  sinners  continoue  to  protect  and  direct  you  and  all  that 
conserns  us  for  the  better.  I  would  have  wrote  you  sooner  after  the 
recept  of  yours,  had  I  not  been  waiting  an  Answer  to  a  verry  long  letter 
I  wrote  6'!'  Dec!  last  which  I  find  had  not  come. to  your  hand  when  you 
wrote  me  but  am  hopefull  it  has  long  before  now  and  an  Answer  to  it  on 
its  way  here.  When  you  write  me  I  intreat  you  to  do  it  on  a  sheet  of 
the  largest  post  paper  you  can  get  and  leave  no  waste  room  in  it,  as  the 
postage  is  no  more  than  if  it  was  three  lines  on  \  sheet.  And  sure  I  am 
you  can  find  subject  enough  to  fill  a  sheet  of  paper  as  you  well  know  that 

VOL.   VI. — 7. 


98  Documents 

whatever  comes  from  your  hand  must  be  agreeable.  I  am  extreamly  glad 
to  hear  you  are  Chiefly  directed  by  your  Broth'  Cap'.  Craigie  and  I  think 
myself  highly  obliged  to  him  both  for  his  advice  and  assistance  to  you  in 
my  absence,  I  having  of  this  date  wrote  him  myself  and  given  him  my 
most  hearty  thanks  for  his  good  offices  to  you  and  begged  his  continou- 
ance  of  the  same. 

I  begg  you  to  advise  with  your  Brother  on  that  paragraph  of  my  last 
letter  with  respect  to  your  moving  here,  and  I  have  likeways  now  begged 
him  to  write  me  his  thoughts  on  the  same  subject,  so  that  I  expect  you 
will  both  write  me  fully  on  recept  of  this,  and  I  begg  you  to  put  him  in 
mind  of  it.  I  have  also  wrote  him  to  be  assisting  to  you,  untill  such  time 
as  the  ports  are  oppen  for  trade  betwixt  Britain  and  the  Collonies  and  the 
disputes  made  up  betwixt  them,  for  untill  that  is  done  there  is  no  such 
thing  as  remitting  money  or  goods  from  any  part  of  America  to  Britain, 
which  gives  me  a  good  deall  of  trouble  on  your  Ace'  of  which  your 
Broth'  can  more  fully  inform  you  of.  As  also  of  the  engagements  that  has 
been  betwixt  the  British  troops  and  the  forces  of  the  united  Collonies 
before  Boston  as  room  wou'd  faill  me  here  to  do  it.  As  to  Mf  Forbes 
pray  make  my  Compt.'  to  him  and  spouse  and  tell  him  from  me  that  I 
make  no  doubt  from  the  information  I  have  of  his  making  good  bread  in 
this  Country  for  that  a  Journaman  Bricklayer  here  has  no  less  than  five 
shillings  a  day  Currancy  which  is  equall  to  four  Shillings  St'.  And  I  am 
aquanted  with  an  Undertaker  in  that  branch  of  business  who  is  now  set 
down  on  good  Estate  and  rides  in  his  Chair  every  day.  But  if  he  was 
to  come  over  he  must  resolve  to  give  closs  application  to  business  and 
keep  from  drinking.  About  7  months  ago  a  Gentleman  in  Fredericksb"! 
hade  his  two  sons  taken  from  the  high  school  there  and  put  under  ni)- 
care  for  which  he  pays  me  ^^5  a  year.  He  is  an  English  man  himself 
and  his  Lady  from  Edinburgh,'  and  I  have  the  pleasure  to  have  given  the 
parents  such  satisfaction  that  I  hade  sent  me  in  a  present  two  silk  vest- 
coats  and  two  pair  of  britches  ready  to  put  on  for  changes  in  summer.  1 
observe  my  Dear  Dogg  George  writes  me  his  name  at  the  foot  of  your 
letter.  But  I  am  surprized  that  you  take  no  notice  of  Jack  and  Bettie. 
But  I  hope  you  will  not  faill  to  be  more  particular  about  them  in  your 
next,  and  give  my  blessing  to  them  all  and  tell  them  from  me  that  I  hope 
they  will  be  obedient  to  you  in  every  respect  and  mind  their  books.  Be- 
fore I  get  things  brought  to  a  bearing  was  any  vessell  by  chance  to  put 
into  Bressaysound'-  bound  for  any  part  of  Virginia  or  for  Pawtomack 
river  which  divides  this  Collony  from  Maryland,  I  wou'd  have  you  at  all 
events  Make  your  Brother  apply  for  your  Passage  with  the  Children  and 
a  servant  and  imediatly  dispose  of  every  article  in  the  house  your  Feather 
Bedds  Bedding  and  Cloaths  excepted,  and  if  any  money  to  spare  lay  it 
out  in  Linen  ;''  and    write  me   imediatly  on  your  Aravell   here    by  post 

'  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Porter. 
2  The  harbor  of  Lerwick. 

"  Linen  was  one  of  the  chief  articles  of  domestic  manufacture  and  e.vport  from  Shet- 
land in  the  eighteenth  century. 


Diary  of  John  Harroiver  99 

and  I  shou'd  soon  be  with  you.  May  God  grant  that  such  a  cast  may 
happen  to  you.  I  must  now  conckide  by  offering  my  Compt"  to  M'  and 
M"  Vance,  and  all  who  enquires  for  me  in  a  friendly  way,  with  my  bless- 
ing to  you  my  sweet  life  and  my  Dear  Infants  is  all  at  present  from,  My 
Dearest  Jewell,  your  ever  affectionate  Husband  while — Signed  J.  H. 

Belvidera  28'.'' Aug'  1775.  Addressed  to  M"  John  Harrower  in  Ler- 
wick, Zetland,  by  Edinburgh,  North  Britain. 

Same  date.     A  Coppy. 

D:  Sir 

I  make  no  doubt  but  by  my  not 
laying  my  mind  oppen  to  you  sooner  I  have  partly  incur' d  your  dis- 
pleasure, But  before  I  am  done  shall  hope  for  your  excusing  me,  And 
allow  me  to  take  this  opportunity  of  returning  you  my  most  gratefull  Ac- 
knowledgements for  your  good  advice  and  Assistance  to  my  Dearest  Wife 
and  Children  since  we  have  been  absent  from  one  another,  and  I 
earnestly  intreat  your  continouance  of  the  same  and  am  hopefull  you  will 
not  see  her  in  strait  untill  I  am  able  to  repay  you,  and  wherin  I  can 
serve  you  or  yours  it  shall  never  be  wanting  on  my  part.  My  design  of 
leaving  Zetland  for  some  time  was  only  known  to  my  wife  ;  And  the 
making  it  known  to  any  person  else  wou'd  not  in  all  probabilitie  wou'd 
not  have  hindred  it ;  I  being  so  straitned  that  nothing  but  money  upon 
Intrest  for  some  Considerable  time  cou'd  have  saved  me  from  being  per- 
sonally exposed  ;  But  when  I  left  the  Country,  I  did  not  intend  going 
further  than  Holland,  or  even  London  cou'd  I  have  found  business  there 
to  my  liking  but  not  finding  that,  and  the  frost  being  strong  in  Holland, 
I  was  determined  to  see  what  I  cou'd  do  in  this  Western  World.  And 
as  to  my  business  and  situation  here,  Annie  can  fully  inform  you  if  she 
has  not  already  done  it.  Here  I  have  keept  my  health  much  better  than 
ever  I  did  before  in  any  place,  and  am  as  happily  situated  as  I  cou'd  wish 
hade  I  my  wife  and  Children  with  me.  Only  not  in  a  way  at  present  to 
make  much  money,  tho  I  hope  in  a  short  time  I  shall  be  able  to  make 
more ;  I  have  now  wrote  Annie  to  advise  with  you  with  respect  to  her 
moving  to  this  Country  with  the  Children,  and  shall  expect  her  thoughts 
upon  it  in  her  next ;  And  I  earnestly  begg  of  you  that  on  receipt  of  this 
you  take  the  trouble  to  write  me  yourself  and  give  me  your  mind  on  the 
same  subject,  likeways  let  me  know  how  trade  goes  with  any  thing  else 
that  is  remarcable  in  the  country.  And  Annie  will  give  you  the  proper 
directions  for  me. 

Untill  the  disputes  betwixt  Governient  and  the  Collonies  are  set- 
tled there  is  no  such  thing  as  getting  any  remittance  made  to  any  part 
in  Britain  ;  Hostilities  being  already  begun  at  Boston  and  three  Engage- 
ments already  fought  betwixt  the  British  troops  and  the  provincialls  the 
last  of  which  on  the  17"'  June  last  at  Charleston  near  Boston,  when  the 
Provincialls  gained  the  day  as  they  did  of  the  other  two.  In  this  last 
Eng!  Gen"  Gage  hade  above  a  thousand  men  left  dead  on  the  field  of 
Battle  and  500  wounded.     Among  the  dead  are  many  of  the  British  ofii- 


lOO  Doctiments 

cers,  which  is  owing  to  the  Americans  taking  sight  when  they  fire,  An 
instance  of  w!'  I  shall  here  give  you.  Col?  Washington  of  this  Collony 
being  appointed  Generalissimo  of  all  the  American  Forces  raised  and  to 
be  raised,  made  a  demand  of  500  Rifflemen  from  the  fronteers  of  this 
Coll:'.  But  those  that  insisted  on  going  far  exceeded  the  number  wanted 
when  in  order  to  avoid  giving  offence,  The  commanding  Officer  chuse 
his  Comp?  by  the  following  method  Vizi  He  took  a  board  of  a  foot 
squar  and  w!  Chalk  drew  the  shape  of  a  moderate  nose  in  the  center  and 
nailed  it  up  to  a  tree  at  150  yd'  distance  and  those  who  came  nighest  the 
mark  with  a  single  ball  was  to  go.  But  by  the  first  40  or  50  that  fired  the 
nose  was  all  blown  out  of  the  board,  and  by  the  time  his  Comp-  was  up 
the  board  shared  the  same  fate.  How  or  when  these  differences  will  [end] 
Clod  only  knows.  But  the  Americans  are  determined  to  stand  by  one  an- 
other to  the  last  man  and  all  exports  and  imports  are  intirely  stopt  also 
planting  of  Tobacco.  On  26'!'  last  M°  wheat  Harvest  was  finised  on 
this  Plantation  by  getting  the  last  of  it  brought  home  and  stacked,  the 
Amount  of  which  will  be  about  3  thousand  bushells,  and  now  ten  ploughs 
are  at  work  every  day  ploughing  wheat  into  the  ground  again  for  the 
next  croop.  It  is  sown  here  in  the  same  field  where  the  Indian  corn  is 
growing,  so  that  both  grow  together  untill  the  M?  of  Novr  when  the  corn 
is  gathered  and  the  field  cleared  of  the  stalks.  Indian  corn  is  planted  at 
six  feet  distance  each  way  as  streight  and  regular  as  you  do  Cabbage  in  a 
garden  and  when  it  is  sprung  up  only  two  stalks  left  in  a  hill ;  It  will 
grow  from  five  to  twelve  or  fourteen  high  and  each  stalk  will  have  two  if 
not  three  Ears  on  it  and  each  Ear  will  have  from  five  to  Eight  hundred 
grains  on  it,  the  size  of  which  you  know.  But  from  Ap"  the  time  it  is 
planted  untill  now  that  the  wheat  is  sown  among  it.  It  is  kept  as  clean  of 
grass  and  weeds  as  a  garden  by  the  Ploughs  running  continually  betwixt 
the  rows  first  the  one  way  and  then  the  other,  and  the  Howers  going 
round  the  hills  with  their  hows,  and  without  this  work  it  wou'd  come  to 
no  perfection.  Of  Corn  there  will  be  on  this  Plantation  about  8  or  9 
Hundred  Barrells  at  five  Bushells  to  the  Barrell,  about  350  Karrell  will 
be  used  for  the  Nigers  and  Horses,  the  rest  for  sale,  the  price  about  10/ 
per  B".  As  for  what  the  White  ates  of  it  is  but  triffling  for  three  Barrell 
of  Corn  is  rather  more  than  any  one  Man  can  use  in  a  year  let  him  ate 
no  other  bread,  the  value  of  which  is  only  30/.  All  the  white  people  on 
the  Plantation  is  the  Col",  his  Lady,  five  Children,  a  Housekeeper  an 
Overseer  and  myself,  But  I  think  no  more  now  of  seeing  40  or  50  Nigers 
every  day,  than  I  did  of  seeing  so  many  [Dabling  ?]  wifes  at  Johnsmiss'  with 
single  stockins,  two  or  three  of  the  best  of  which  if  I  hade  here  I  cou'd 
sell  to  Good  Acco!.  On  casting  my  Eye  out  of  the  window  I  cannot 
help  most  heartily  wishing  you  hade  some  of  the  most  Charming  Water- 
mellons  I  have  now  growing  and  some  of  them  ripe  within  less  3  Yd?  of 
where  I  sitt.  Some  of  which  will  weigh  from  20  to  30  lb.  My  Plan- 
tation for  my  Amusement  consists  of  the  following  Articles  Viz'     Water 

'  .St.  John's  Day. 


Diary  of  Jo  Jin  Harrozver  loi 

melons,  mushmelons,   Cucumbers,   Pumpkins,   Gourds   Spanish  Pitatoes 
and  Cotton.     So  much  for  Plantation  information. 

I  am  truly  affraid  I  have  incroached  on  your  patience  already  in 
giving  you  the  trouble  of  reading  this  long  epistle  therefore  I  shall  con- 
clude at  this  time  by  earnestly  entreating  you  to  write  me  at  Large  and 
let  me  know  your  thoughts  on  the  present  disputes  betwixt  the  Collonies 
and  the  Ministry.  My  Compt'  to  M"  Craigie  Miss  Peggy  and  your  two 
sons  to  M'  and  M"  Sands'  and  their  children  and  please  accept  of  the 
same  yourself  from  him  who  is  with  sinceer  regaird  D'  S'  your  Most  Aff.' 
Broth' and  Hu'  Servl  J.  H^ 

Belvidera  28?  August  1775.      Addressed  to  Cap!  James  Craigie  in  Ler- 
wick, Zetland,  by  Edinburgh,  North  Britain. 

Saturday,  September  2d.  At  noon  rode  to  Town  and  delivered  two 
letters  to  Mr.  Henry  Mitchell,  One  for  my  wife  and  one  for  her  Brother 
Cap*  James  Craigie  After  which  I  retur'!  home  by  sundown. 

Wednesday,  6th.  This  day  I  was  informed  by  M'  Frazer  that  M? 
Daingerfield  talking  to  them  of  me  that  morning  about  some  Ghie  dis- 
respt  fully  calld  me  Old  Harrower  by  which  and  her  behaveiour  to  myself 
I  find  her  grudge  continous  tho  she  has  not  courage  to  say  any  thing  to 
myself  well  knowing  she  has  [no]  foundation  to  go  upon. 

Sunday,  loth.  This  day  came  Dick  a  Serv!  belonging  to  M.'  Anderson 
from  Toun  and  a  Comerade  of  his  to  see  me  and  Brought  me  a  pair  new 
shoes  and  a  pair  for  M'  Frazer  also  a  Bottle  Vest  India  Rum  which  we 
drank  in  school  in  Company  with  M'  Frazer. 

Munday,  nth.  This  day  sent  my  letter  to  wife  to  Fredericksb?  by 
M'  Frazer  and  gave  him  1/6  to  give  with  it  at  the  post  office  as  Postage  to 
New  York.  But  M'  Brown  my  friend  the  Clark  told  Mf  Frazer  he  wou'd 
send  it  home  free  for  me  by  a  Ship  going  to  saile. 

Friday,  ijth.  Wrote  my  5"'  I^etter  this  day  from  Virginia,  This  be- 
ing the  Coppy. 

iMy  Dearest  Life,  Yours  of  the  12"'  May  last  I  received  2''  Ins.'  ime- 
diatly  after  sending  off  one  for  you  and  one  for  your  Aff'.'  brother  dated 
28'!'  last  M*;  Both  which  will  come  to  your  Hand  I  imagine  at  the  same 
time  that  this  will  as  I  am  oblidged  to  send  this  to  New  York  by  post  in 
order  to  come  to  London  by  the  Pacquet,  There  being  no  more  Oppor- 
tunities from  this  Collony  to  Glasgow  this  season,  by  reason  that  the 
Nonimportation  and  Nonexportation  Acts  of  the  Continental  Congress 
now  takes  place  and  will  continue  untill  the  disputes  betwixt  Great  Brit- 
ain and  the  Colonys  be  settled.  And  I  intreat  you  imediatly  on  receipt 
of  this  letter  to  wait  on  your  Brother  and  show  it  to  him,  and  he  will 
more  fully  inform  you  of  these  Matters  than  room  will  permit  me  to  do 
here.  As  my  principal  Design  of  writing  you  this  so  soon  after  my  last  is 
to  make  you  as  easy  as  possible  I  can,  both  with  respect  to  my  not  send- 
ing for  you  and  making  you  a  remittance.  As  to  the  first  of  these  I 
cou'd  not  be  certain  if  you  wou'd  come  to  this  Country  or  not  untill  I 

'  Rev.  James  Sand.s  was  the  minister  of  I.erwick, 


I02  Documents 

rec'!  your  last  letter.  But  as  I  find  by  it  you  are  satisfied  to  come  here, 
you  may  believe  me  nothing  in  this  world  can  give  me  equall  satisfaction 
to  my  having  you  and  my  D'  Infants  with  me.  As  a  proof  of  which  I 
have  ever  signified  the  same  in  my  letters  to  your  brother.  And  I  now 
declare  unto  you  as  I  sinceerly  write  from  my  heart  before  God,  that  I 
will  how  soon  I  am  able  point  out  the  way  to  you  how  you  may  get  here, 
and  at  same  time  make  you  what  remittance  I  can  in  order  to  Assist 
you  on  your  way.  But  you  must  consider  that  as  I  hade  not  a  shilling 
in  my  pocket  when  I  left  you  It  must  take  me  some  time  befor  I  can  be 
able  to  make  you  a  remittance.  Therefore  I  even  pray  you  for  Gods 
sake  to  have  patience  and  keep  up  your  heart  and  no  means  let  that  fail 
you :  For  be  asured  the  time  is  not  Longer  to  you  than  me,  And  the 
National  disputes  and  the  stopage  of  trade  betwixt  this  and  the  Mother 
Country  if  not  soon  settled  will  of  course  make  the  time  longer  as  your 
bror  will  inform  you.  As  to  your  Jocks  upon  me  with  respect  to  my 
getting  a  Virginian  Lady  it  is  the  least  in  all  my  thoughts  and  am  deter- 
mined to  leave  that  Jobb  for  you  by  aiding  your  sons  with  your  advice 
to  them  in  their  choise  of  wifes  among  the  Virginian  Ladys  :  For  I  am 
resolved  (as  at  first)  to  do  as  much  for  you  as  God  is  pleased  to  put  in 
my  power. 

I  am  glad  you  are  moved  to  a  place  of  the  Toun,  as  you  say  agree- 
able to  your  own  disposition,  but  am  extreamly  fearfull  for  you  on  Acco! 
of  the  earthen  floor  :  And  considering  Forbes  behavour  to  you,  what  I 
wrote  you  in  my  last  conserning  him  you  have  prudence  enough  to  keep 
it  to  yourself,  and  I  will  give  myself  no  further  trouble  here  about  him. 
I  am  verry  uneasy  about  your  being  so  tender  this  spring  But  am  hope- 
full  you  have  quite  got  the  better  of  it  before  now.  At  same  time  it 
gives  me  great  satisfaction  to  hear  the  Children  are  all  well,  and  that 
Jock  is  still  at  Walls.'  I  hope  he  is  now  making  some  progress  in  his 
Education,  and  am  hopefull  George  will  do  the  same.  As  for  Belts  Im 
not  afraid  of  her  considering  whose  hands  she  is  under.  I  have  nothing 
further  to  add  at  present  only  I  again  begg  of  you  to  keep  a  good  heart 
and  do  the  best  you  can  untill  it  please  God  to  enable  me  to  assist  you 
and  for  aught  I  think  you  shall  hear  no  more  from  me  untill  I  be  able  to 
remitt  you  either  more  or  less. 

My  Compliments  and  sinceer  good  wishes  to  your  Brother  M'  Craigie, 
his  spouse  and  Family  likeways  my  Comp?  to  M'  and  M'*  Vance,  and  all 
others  wh  may  enquire  for  nie  in  a  friendly  way  ;  with  my  sinceer  love 
and  prayers  to  God  for  you  my  Dearest  Jewell  and  Children  is  all  at 
present  from  your  ever  AffV  Husb!  signed  J.  H.  Belvidera  is'!"  Sept' 
1775.  Addressed  To  M"  John  Harrower  in  Lerwick  Zetland  by  the 
New  York  Packet  to  London  and  by  Edin'  North  Britain. 

Thursday,  28th.  This  morning  I  rec"!  from  Benjamin  Edge  by  the 
hand  of  his  daughter  two  Dollars,  one  half  and  one  Quarter  Dollar  being 
in  all  sixteen  shillings  and  Sixpence  in  part  payment  for  teaching  his  son 

'On  the  west  of  the  island  of  Mainl.-ind,  about  ten  miles  from  Lerwick. 


Diary  of  John  Harroiver  103 

and  daughter.  Same  day  I  seed  a  Compr  of  70  Men  belonging  to  one 
of  the  Regiments  of  Regullars  raised  here  for  the  defence  of  the  rights 
and  liberties  of  this  Coll-'  in  particular  and  of  North  America  in  Generall. 
They  were  on  their  March  to  Williamsburg. 

Thursday,  October  12th.  Company  here  last  night  Viz'  Old  M"  AVal- 
ler,  her  son  and  his  wife  and  at  school  there  M'  Heely  Schoolmaster  and 
Mr  Brooks  Carpenter  and  they  w!  M'  Frazer  and  myself  played  whist  and 
danced  untill  1 2  OClock,  Mr  Heely  the  Fidle  and  dancing.  We  drank 
one  bottle  of  rum  in  time.      M'  Frazer  verry  sick  after  they  went  home. 

Muiiday,  16//1.  This  morning  3  men  went  to  work  to  break,  swingle 
and  heckle  flax  and  one  woman  to  spin  in  order  to  make  course  linnen  for 
shirts  to  the  Nigers,  This  being  the  first  of  the  kind  that  was  made  on 
the  plantation.  And  before  this  year  there  has  been  little  or  no  linnen 
made  in  the  Colony. 

Tuesday  ijfh.  Two  women  spining  wool  on  the  bigg  wheel  and 
one  woman  spinning  flax  on  the  little  wheel  all  designed  for  the  Nigers. 

Munday,  2^d.  One  Frieday  last  I  lent  to  Miss  Lucy  one  pair  of  my 
shoes  to  spin  with.  This  day  General  Washintons  Lady  dined  here,  As 
did  her  son  and  Daug!"  in  Law,'  M"  Spotswood,  M"  Campbell,  M" 
Dansie,  Miss  Washington  and  Miss  Dandrige,  They  being  all  of  the 
highes  Rank  and  fortunes  of  any  in  this  Colony. 

Saturday,  28th.  Last  night  came  here  to  school  M'  Heely  and  Tho! 
Brooks  in  order  to  spend  the  evening,  but  by  reason  of  M'  Frazer' s  not 
coming  from  the  House,  and  some  stories  told  them  by  M?  Richards  in 
order  to  sow  disention.  She  being  really  a  Wolf  cloathed  with  a  lambs 
skin  and  the  greatest  Mischief  maker  I  have  seen  in  all  my  Travels,  The 
first  time  I  seed  her,  I  cou'd  observe  in  her  countenance  Slyness  and 
deceit,  and  I  have  always  avoided  going  to  the  House  as  much  as  possi- 
ble, But  now  I  really  think  she  ought  to  be  avoided  by  every  christian 
who  regairds  peace  and  their  own  character.  They  both  went  home  at  10 
pm. 

Sunday,  2gth.  Yesterday  at  noon  M'  Heely  came  here  and  asked 
me  to  take  a  walk  with  him  in  order  to  see  Miss  Molly  White  late  house- 
keeper at  Newport  she  having  some  shirts  of  his  making  for  him,  and 
after  crossing  the  river  we  found  her  at  an  Aunts  house  of  hers  one  M'.' 
Hansfords  where  we  stayed  all  night,  and  this  day  Miss  Molly  came  with 
us  two  Miles  to  a  Gentlemans  house  in  our  way  home,  and  after  aquant- 
ing  M'  Heely  where  his  shirts  was  ready  for  him  the  conversation  turned 
upon  clearing  themselves  to  each  other  of  most  malicious  stories  raised  by 
the  above  M"  Richards  in  order  to  set  them  at  variance  and  included 
with  them  was  Miss  Lucy  Gaines  our  housekeeper,  and  myself.  But  now 
that  every  one  has  discovered  the  snake,  I  belive  in  time  coming  her 
bite  will  be  avoided. 

■  John  Parke  Custis  and  his  wife  Eleanor  Calvert.  The  Mrs.  Spotswood  referred  to 
was  probably  the  wife  of  Col.  Alexander  Spotswood  of  Newport,  a  niece  of  Gen.  Wash- 
ington. Mrs.  Campbell  was  probably  Mary,  the  widow  of  John  Spotswood,  son  of  the 
governor,  who  married  John  Campbell,  Gentleman.  Mis.-;  Washington  must  have  been  a 
niece  of  Gen.  Washington,  and  Miss  Dandridge  was  perhaps  a  niece  of  his  wife. 


1 04  Documents 

Thursday,  November  gf/i.  Upon  Thursday  2^  Ins'  there  was  a  Camp 
Marked  out  close  at  the  back  of  the  school  for  a  Batalion  of  500  private 
men  besides  officers  and  they  imediatly  began  to  erect  tents  for  the 
same.'  And  this  day  the  whole  was  finished  for  250  men  being  50  tents 
for  the  privates  and  6  D"  for  officers  and  3  D°  for  the  Comissary  and  his 
stores,  with  one  for  a  Buffalo  which  is  to  be  shown  which  I  shall  afterwards 
describe. — This  day  the  250  men  being  5  Companys  from  different  parts 
aravied  at  the  Camp  the  other  5  Companys  not  being  as  yet  compleated. 

Saturday,  nth.  At  1 1  OClock  forenoon  I  rode  to  Toun  and  bought 
one  stone  Mugg  and  Tin  pot  at  lod.  and  lyl  yd.  Linen  at  5/  of 
which  I  wanted  two  stocks  for  winter  wear,  and  the  rest  of  it  I  made 
a  present  to  Miss  Lucy,  for  her  readyness  to  do  any  little  thing  for 
me  ;  I  seed  no  worsted  stockins  for  sale  but  one  pair  all  Moth  eaten  and 
as  they  were  they  asked  no  less  than  6/  for  them.  I  dined  at  M'  Porters 
spent  7-I  at  Mr  Anderson  and  then  came  home  by  sun  down. 

Sunday,  12th.  This  day  a  great  number  of  company  from  Toun  and 
Country  to  see  the  Camp  four  of  which  (Gentlemen)  paid  me  a  visite 
which  put  me  to  1/3  expence  for  a  bottle  of  rum.  at  noon  by  Accident 
one  of  the  Captains  tents  was  set  on  fire  and  all  consumed  but  none  of 
things  of  any  Acco!  Lost. 

Miuiday,  ijth.  This  forenoon  the  Col!  sent  a  waggon  Load  of  Tur- 
nups and  Pitatoes  to  the  Camp  as  a  present  for  all  the  men. 

Tuesday,  14th.  All  the  minute-men  in  the  Camp  employed  learning 
their  exercise. 

Wednesday ,  i^tJi.  This  morning  I  drank  a  small  dram  of  rum  made 
thick  with  brown  suggar  for  the  cold,  it  being  the  first  dram  I  have 
drunk  since  I  lived  on  the  Plantation. 

Thursday,  i6th.     The  soldiers  at  muster. 

Freiday,  ijth.  The  soldiers  at  D°,  and  I  left  of  going  into  the  Nur- 
sery and  taking  charge  of  the  children  out  of  school. 

Wednesday,  2gth.  This  day  the  camp  was  brocke  up  and  the 
whole  Batallion  dismissed  after  each  private  receiving  22  days  pay  at  1/4 
per  day  and  1/  for  provisions  out  and  home.  During  the  time  the  camp 
was  by  the  school  it  cost  me  8/  i\  of  expences  which  is  more  by  2/  than 
it  cost  me  for  1 2  Months  before. 

Saturday,  December  2d.  At  noon  went  to  Toun  and  seed  two  Com- 
panys of  regulars  from  the  Ohio  among  which  was  one  real  Indian,  he 
was  of  a  Yelow  couler  short  brod  faced  and  rather  flat  nosed,  and  long 
course  black  [hair]  quite  streight.  he  spoke  verry  good  english.  I  staid 
in  Toun  all  night  and  slept  at  Mf  Andersons  ;  I  bought  from  M'  Porter  a 
black  Silk  Handkerchief  at  5/. 

Sunday,  jd.  After  breackfast  I  went  and  found  out  Miss  Molly 
White  and  left  with  her  cloth  to  make  me  two  winter  Stocks  and  a  stock 
to  make  them  by.     Dined  in  Toun,  came  home  in  the  afternoon. 

>  An  ordinance  of  the  July  Convention  had  provided  for  twenty  days'  drill  on  the  part 
of  the  minute-men  of  each  group  of  counties.  The  minute-men  of  the  district  composed  of 
Caroline,  Spotsylvania,  King  George  and  Stafford  were  to  number  five  hundred  rank  and 
file.     Hening,  IX.  16. 


Diary  of  JoJiu  Harroiver  105 

Wednesday,  2yih. 

i"  Both  the  last  nights  quite  drunk  was  I, 

Pray  God  forgive  me  [of]  the  sin  ; 

But  had  I  been  in  good  company, 

Me  in  that  case  No  man  had  seen. 
2''  Plac'd  by  myself,  without  the  camp. 

As  if  I  were  unclean — 

No  friendly  soul  does  my  floor  tramp. 

My  greiff  to  ease,  or  hear  my  moan. 
3''  For  in  a  prison  at  large  I'm  plac't, 

Bound  to  it,  day  and  night ; 

O,  grant  me  patience,  god  of  grace. 

And  in  thy  paths  make  me  walk  right. 
4th  This  day  alone,  at  home  I  am, 

Repenting  sadly  and  full  sore 

That  ever  the  like  unto  me  came. 

When  this  I  see.  The  cause  I  will  repent  for  ever  more. 

Wednesday ,  January  loth,  1776.  This  day  we  hade  the  Confirmation 
of  Norfolk  being  reduced  to  ashes  by  the  Men  of  War  and  British  Troops 
under  Command  of  Lord  Dunmore.  It  was  the  Largest  Toun  in  the 
Collony  and  a  place  of  great  Trade,  it  being  situated  a  little  within  the 
Capes.      Severall  Women  and  Child"  are  killed. 

Saturday,  ijfh.  After  12  O  Clock  I  went  six  Miles  into  the  Forrest 
to  one  Daniel  Dempsies  to  see  if  they  wou'd  spin  three  pound  of  Cotton 
to  run  8  yds.  per  lb.,  |  of  it  belonging  to  Miss  Lucy  Gaines  for  a  goun 
and  \  belonging  to  myself  for  Vestcoats,  which  they  ag'I  to  do  if  I  car- 
ried the  cotton  there  on  Saturd':  27'.''  Insl 

Sunday,  14th.  At  1 1  AM  I  Sett  out  for  Mansfield  the  seat  of  Man 
Page,'  Esq!  in  order  to  see  one  W.  Reid  Gairdner"  who  came  from  Dun- 
kell  in  Scotland.  Mr  Scott  Watch  maker  from  Toun  being  also  with 
him.  I  staid  with  them  untill  after  sundown,  having  dined  and  being 
verry  genteely  entertained.  Mr  and  M"  Porter  and  all  their  Children 
came  here  to  dinner  and  staid  all  night. 

Munday,  ijth.  Miss  Lucy  spinning  my  croop  of  Cotton  at  night 
after  her  work  is  done  ;  to  make  me  a  pair  of  gloves. 

Wednesday,  ijth.  This  evening  Miss  Lucy  came  to  school  with 
M'  Frazer  and  me,  and  finished  my  croop  of  Cotton  by  winding  it,  after 
its  being  doubled  and  twisted  the  whole  consisting  of  two  ounces. 

Tuesday,  2jd.     This  day  I  entred  Edwin  into  the  Latin  Gramer. 

Saturday,  27th.  After  12  pm  I  went  to  the  forrest  to  the  house  of 
Daniel  Dempsies  and  carried  with  me  three  pound  of  pick'd  Cotton  two  of 
which  belongs  to   Miss  Lucy  Gaines  and  one  to  me,  which  his  wife  has 

'  Mann  Page  of  Mansfield,  half-brother  of  Governor  John  Page,  was  a  memlser  of  the 
Continental  Congress  in  1777. 
2  /.  e.,  gardener. 


io6  Documents 

agreed  to  spin  to  run  8  Yd?  per  lb.,  I  paing  her  five  shillings  per  lb.  for 
spinning  it  and  it  is  to  be  done  by  the  end  of  May  next. 

Tuesday,  March  ^th.  This  morning  Bathurest  Daingerfield  got  don 
reading  through  the  Bible  and  the  Newtestament,  and  began  to  learn  to 
write  15  Ult"     I  gave  them  Holyday  this  Afternoon. 

Saturday,  April  20th.  At  noon  I  asked  the  Col°  for  a  bottle  of  rum 
as  I  expected  two  Countrymen  to  see  me  tomorrow,  which  he  verry  cheer- 
fully gave  and  desired  me  to  ask  him  for  one  any  time  I  wanted  it  and 
told  me  to  take  them  to  the  Howse  to  dinner  with  me.  in  the  afternoon 
he,  his  Lady,  and  Daughter  went  over  the  river  to  W.  Jones's  in  King 
George  County. 

Tuesday,  2jd.  At  noon  rode  to  Town,  got  the  Newspapers  and 
settled  with  M'  Porter  for  teaching  his  two  sons  1 2  M°'  when  he  verry 
genteely  allowed  me  ^6  for  them,  besides  a  present  of  two  silk  vests 
and  two  pair  of  Nankeen  Breeches  last  summer  and  a  Gallon  of  rum  at 
Christenmass,  both  he  and  M"  Porter  being  extreamly  well  satisfied  with 
what  I  hade  don  to  them. 

Wednesday,  24th.  General  Muster  of  all  the  County  Malitia  in 
Town  today,  at  Breackfast  the  Col°  desired  me  to  go  and  see  it  if  I  pleased, 
But  being  in  town  yesterday  I  chose  to  stay  to  day  with  my  boys. 

Sunday,  28th.  This  day  came  here  to  pay  me  a  visit  Mr  Reid  from 
Mansfield  and  M'  Scott  from  Toun  and  dined  with  me  in  the  great  house 
by  the  Col°"  order,  and  after  we  hade  spent  the  afternoon  verry  agreeably 
together  they  returned  home  in  the  evening. 

Sunday,  May  jfh.  Early  this  morning  I  went  to  Mf  McCalley's  and 
entred  his  oldest  son  (about  8  years  of  age)  to  writting,  stayed  there  all 
day  and  rode  his  horse  home  in  the  evening.  The  Col"  went  to  Newport 
and  dinned  there. 

Tuesday,  jth.      Billie  ended  reading  through  his  Bible. 

Thursday,  gfh.  After  dinner  I  took  the  boys  with  me  to  Massa- 
ponacks  Briges  to  see  56  prisoners  that  was  taken  at  the  late  battle  in 
North  Carolina,  '  among  them  was  a  great  many  Emigrants  from  Scot- 
land who  were  all  officers.  I  talked  with  several  of  them  from  Ross 
Shr  and  the  Isle  of  Sky. 

Freiday,  ijth.  Genl'  Fast  by  order  of  the  Congress.  I  went  to 
Church  in  Toun  but  no  sarmon.  dined  at  M'  McAlleys  and  came  home 
in  the  evening.     The  Col°  and  his  Lady  at  Mount  C? . 

Munday,  2jth.  At  9  AM  I  went  to  M'  McAlleys  and  staid  teaching 
his  Son  and  sister  untill  dark  and  then  rode  home  bringing  with  me  li 
Yd.  Linen  for  summer  breeches. 

Thursday,  June  6th.  In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  M'  Becks,  when  he 
told  me  that  M"  Battle  wanted  to  see  me  and  to  talk  to  me  about  teach- 
ing her  two  daughters  to  write,  upon  which  I  imediatly  waited  upon 
her  and  engaged  to  return  upon  Saturd  next  by  i  pm  and  begin  them  to 
write  but  made  no  bargain  as  yet. 

'Battle  of  Moore's  Creek  Bridge,  February  27,  1776.  In  the  list  of  prisoners, 
Force's  American  Archives,  Fourth  Series,  V.  63,  are  many  Highland  names. 


Diary  of  John  Harrojoej'  107 

Safiii-Jay,  8th.  At  noon  I  went  to  M';  Bataile's  and  entred  two  of 
her  Daughters  to  writting,  Viz.  Miss  Sallie  and  Miss  Betty  and  contin- 
oued  teaching  them  until  night,  when  I  agreed  to  attend  them  every  Sat- 
urday afternoon  and  every  other  Sunday  from  this  date  until  8'."  June 
1777  (If  it  please  God  to  spare  me)   for  four  pound  Virginia  currancy. 

Sunday,  <)th.  After  breackfast  I  rode  to  M'  Mc Alleys  and  teach' d  his 
son  to  write  imtill  4  pm  and  then  came  home  in  the  evening. 

Frciday,  14th.  At  noon  Went  to  Jn'.'  McDearmons  and  had  6  Yd: 
stript  Cotton  warped  for  2  Veastcoats  and  two  handkerchiefs  all  prepared 
at  my  own  expence. 

Wednesday,  igth.  At  noon  went  to  snow  creek  and  the  boys  and 
dined  at  the  spring  on  Barbaque  and  fish.  At  5  pm  I  went  to  M"  Bat- 
taile  and  teac'd  until  \  an  hour  past  7. 

Wednesday  26th.  At  5  pm  I  went  to  M:  Becks  and  had  a  short  Coat 
cut  out  of  cotton  cloth  wove  Jeans.  I  bought  the  cotton  and  paid  for 
spinning  it  at  the  rate  of  2/6  per  lb.  and  one  shilling  per  Yd.  for  weaving. 

Sunday,  July  yth.  This  morning  I  rode  to  Mansfield  and  breackfast 
with  M'  Reid  and  stayed  and  dined  with  him  and  in  the  afternoon  he 
and  I  rode  to  see  the  Rowgallies  that  was  building  where  we  met  with 
M'  Anderson  and  Jacob  Whitely  and  went  to  Town  with  them  to 
Whitelys  where  we  Joyned  in  Compf  with  M'  Wright  and  one  M'  Bruce 
from  King  George,  about  1 1  pm  we  brock  up  and  every  one  went  to  his 
own  home  as  I  did. 

Wednesday,  lofh.  At  6  pm  went  to  M"  Battaile's  and  teach'd  untill 
sunset  and  then  return'd  home  and  soon  after  hea[r]d  a  great  many  guns 
fired  towards  Toun.  about  1 2  pm  the  Col"  Despatched  Anth''  Frazer 
there  to  see  what  was  the  cause  of  [it]  who  returned,  and  informed  him 
that  there  was  great  rejoicings  in  Toun  on  Acco'  of  the  Congress  having 
declared  the  13  United  Colonys  of  North  America  Independent  of  the 
Crown  of  great  Britain. 

Thursday,  22th.  I  imployed  this  morn°  and  forenoon  getting  Lead 
off  Snowcreek  house.' 

'  I'robably  for  military  uses. 


LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS